EXECUTION VERSION Deal: 61200UAJ2 Facility: 61200UAK9 $200,000,000 THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of December 11, 2025, by and among MONTANA-DAKOTA UTILITIES CO., as Borrower, the Lenders referred to herein, as Lenders, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Syndication Agent and COBANK, ACB, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION as Co-Documentation Agents ______________________________________________________________________________ WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, COBANK, ACB, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. and PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC as Joint Lead Arrangers WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, COBANK, ACB, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. and PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC as Joint Bookrunners
i TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS ......................................................................................................................... 1 Section 1.1 Definitions ............................................................................................................. 1 Section 1.2 Other Definitions and Provisions ......................................................................... 28 Section 1.3 Accounting Terms ................................................................................................ 29 Section 1.4 Rounding .............................................................................................................. 29 Section 1.5 References to Agreement and Laws .................................................................... 29 Section 1.6 Times of Day ....................................................................................................... 29 Section 1.7 Guaranties/Earn-Outs ........................................................................................... 29 Section 1.8 Divisions .............................................................................................................. 30 Section 1.9 Rates .................................................................................................................... 30 ARTICLE II REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY ..................................................................................... 30 Section 2.1 Revolving Credit Loans ....................................................................................... 30 Section 2.2 Swingline Loans .................................................................................................. 30 Section 2.3 Procedure for Advances of Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans......... 32 Section 2.4 Repayment and Prepayment of Revolving Credit and Swingline Loans ............. 33 Section 2.5 Permanent Reduction of the Commitment ........................................................... 34 Section 2.6 Termination of Revolving Credit Facility ............................................................ 34 Section 2.7 Extension of Revolving Credit Maturity Date ..................................................... 34 ARTICLE III LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY ...................................................................................... 36 Section 3.1 L/C Facility .......................................................................................................... 36 Section 3.2 Procedure for Issuance and Disbursement of Letters of Credit. .......................... 37 Section 3.3 Commissions and Other Charges. ........................................................................ 38 Section 3.4 L/C Participations. ............................................................................................... 38 Section 3.5 Reimbursement. ................................................................................................... 40 Section 3.6 Obligations Absolute. .......................................................................................... 40 Section 3.7 Effect of Letter of Credit Documents. ................................................................. 42 Section 3.8 Resignation of Issuing Lenders. ........................................................................... 42 Section 3.9 Reporting of Letter of Credit Information and L/C Commitment. ...................... 43 Section 3.10 Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries. ............................................................. 43 Section 3.11 Letter of Credit Amounts. .................................................................................... 43 Section 3.12 Cash Collateral for Extended Letters of Credit. ................................................... 43 ARTICLE IV GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS ...................................................................................... 45 Section 4.1 Interest ................................................................................................................. 45 Section 4.2 Notice and Manner of Conversion or Continuation of Loans .............................. 46 Section 4.3 Fees ...................................................................................................................... 47 Section 4.4 Manner of Payment .............................................................................................. 47 Section 4.5 Evidence of Indebtedness .................................................................................... 48 Section 4.6 Sharing of Payments by Lenders ......................................................................... 48 Section 4.7 Administrative Agent’s Clawback ....................................................................... 49 Section 4.8 Changed Circumstances ....................................................................................... 50 Section 4.9 Indemnity ............................................................................................................. 52 Section 4.10 Increased Costs .................................................................................................... 52
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page ii Section 4.11 Taxes .................................................................................................................... 54 Section 4.12 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders ................................................ 57 Section 4.13 Increases in Commitments ................................................................................... 59 Section 4.14 Cash Collateral ..................................................................................................... 60 Section 4.15 Defaulting Lenders .............................................................................................. 61 ARTICLE V CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND BORROWING ........................................................... 63 Section 5.1 Conditions to Closing and Initial Extensions of Credit ....................................... 63 Section 5.2 Conditions to All Extensions of Credit ................................................................ 64 ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWER ............................. 65 Section 6.1 Organization; Power; Qualification ..................................................................... 65 Section 6.2 Authorization of Extensions of Credit; No Conflict as to Law or Agreements .......................................................................................................... 65 Section 6.3 Legal Agreements ................................................................................................ 66 Section 6.4 Subsidiaries .......................................................................................................... 66 Section 6.5 Financial Condition .............................................................................................. 66 Section 6.6 Adverse Change ................................................................................................... 66 Section 6.7 Litigation .............................................................................................................. 66 Section 6.8 Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Sanctions; and Outbound Investment Rules .......................................................................... 66 Section 6.9 Environmental Matters ........................................................................................ 67 Section 6.10 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act .................................................. 67 Section 6.11 Compliance with Law; Governmental Approvals ............................................... 67 Section 6.12 Taxes .................................................................................................................... 67 Section 6.13 Titles and Liens .................................................................................................... 68 Section 6.14 Intellectual Property ............................................................................................. 68 Section 6.15 Employee Benefit Matters ................................................................................... 68 Section 6.16 Plan Assets; Prohibited Transactions ................................................................... 68 Section 6.17 Full Disclosure ..................................................................................................... 68 ARTICLE VII AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS ........................................................................................ 69 Section 7.1 Reporting ............................................................................................................. 69 Section 7.2 Books and Records; Inspection and Examination ............................................... 70 Section 7.3 Compliance with Laws ........................................................................................ 71 Section 7.4 Payment of Taxes and Other Claims ................................................................... 71 Section 7.5 Maintenance of Properties ................................................................................... 71 Section 7.6 Insurance .............................................................................................................. 71 Section 7.7 Preservation of Corporate Existence .................................................................... 71 Section 7.8 Compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws; Beneficial Ownership Regulation, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Sanctions .................................. 71 ARTICLE VIII NEGATIVE COVENANTS ............................................................................................. 72 Section 8.1 Liens .................................................................................................................... 72 Section 8.2 Investments .......................................................................................................... 73 Section 8.3 Distributions ........................................................................................................ 74 Section 8.4 Sale of Assets ....................................................................................................... 74
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page iii Section 8.5 Transactions with Affiliates ................................................................................. 74 Section 8.6 Consolidation and Merger ................................................................................... 74 Section 8.7 Restrictions on Nature of Business ...................................................................... 74 Section 8.8 Use of Proceeds ................................................................................................... 74 Section 8.9 Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio ..................................................................... 74 Section 8.10 Limitations Regarding Outbound Investment Rules ............................................ 74 ARTICLE IX DEFAULT AND REMEDIES ............................................................................................. 75 Section 9.1 Events of Default ................................................................................................. 75 Section 9.2 Remedies .............................................................................................................. 76 Section 9.3 Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Non-Waiver; etc. .......................................... 77 Section 9.4 Crediting of Payments and Proceeds ................................................................... 78 Section 9.5 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim ................................................. 78 ARTICLE X THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT ..................................................................................... 79 Section 10.1 Appointment and Authority ................................................................................. 79 Section 10.2 Rights as a Lender ................................................................................................ 79 Section 10.3 Exculpatory Provisions ........................................................................................ 79 Section 10.4 Reliance by the Administrative Agent ................................................................. 81 Section 10.5 Delegation of Duties ............................................................................................ 81 Section 10.6 Resignation of Administrative Agent .................................................................. 81 Section 10.7 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders ................................ 82 Section 10.8 No Other Duties, Etc. ........................................................................................... 84 Section 10.9 Other Agent ......................................................................................................... 84 Section 10.10 Erroneous Payments ............................................................................................ 84 ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS ............................................................................................................ 86 Section 11.1 Notices ................................................................................................................. 86 Section 11.2 Amendments, Waivers and Consents .................................................................. 88 Section 11.3 Expenses; Indemnity ............................................................................................ 90 Section 11.4 Right of Setoff ..................................................................................................... 91 Section 11.5 Governing Law; Jurisdiction, Etc. ....................................................................... 92 Section 11.6 Waiver of Jury Trial ............................................................................................. 93 Section 11.7 Reversal of Payments ........................................................................................... 93 Section 11.8 Successors and Assigns; Participations ............................................................... 93 Section 11.9 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality .............................................. 97 Section 11.10 All Powers Coupled with Interest ........................................................................ 98 Section 11.11 Survival ................................................................................................................ 98 Section 11.12 Titles and Captions .............................................................................................. 98 Section 11.13 Severability of Provisions .................................................................................... 98 Section 11.14 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution .......................... 99 Section 11.15 Term of Agreement ............................................................................................ 100 Section 11.16 PATRIOT Act; Anti-Money Laundering Laws ................................................. 100 Section 11.17 Independent Effect of Covenants ....................................................................... 100 Section 11.18 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility .......................................................... 100 Section 11.19 Inconsistencies with Other Documents .............................................................. 101 Section 11.20 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions ......................................................................................................... 101
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page iv Section 11.21 Certain ERISA Matters ...................................................................................... 102 Section 11.22 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs ........................................ 103 Section 11.23 Amendment and Restatement; No Novation ..................................................... 104
i EXHIBITS Exhibit A-1 - Form of Revolving Credit Note Exhibit A-2 - Form of Swingline Note Exhibit B - Form of Notice of Borrowing Exhibit C - Form of Notice of Account Designation Exhibit D - Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation Exhibit E - Form of Officer’s Compliance Certificate Exhibit F - Form of Assignment and Assumption Exhibit G-1 - Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Non-Partnership Foreign Lenders) Exhibit G-2 - Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Non-Partnership Foreign Participants) Exhibit G-3 - Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Foreign Participant Partnerships) Exhibit G-4 - Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Foreign Lender Partnerships) SCHEDULES Schedule 1.1 - Commitments and Commitment Percentages; L/C Commitments Schedule 2.6(a) - Existing Letters of Credit Schedule 6.2 - Authorizing Orders Schedule 6.4 - Subsidiaries Schedule 8.1 - Existing Liens
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of December 11, 2025, by and among MONTANA-DAKOTA UTILITIES CO., a Delaware corporation, as Borrower, the lenders who are party to this Agreement and the lenders who may become a party to this Agreement pursuant to the terms hereof, as Lenders, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE WHEREAS, the Borrower, certain financial institutions party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, are parties to that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 18, 2023 (as amended, modified, restated or supplemented immediately prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement”). The Borrower has requested, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have agreed, to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement pursuant to the terms hereof. NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, such parties hereby agree as follows: ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS Section 1.1 Definitions. The following terms when used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them below: “Administrative Agent” means Wells Fargo (or any of its designated branch offices or affiliates), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders, and any successor thereto appointed pursuant to Section 10.6. “Administrative Agent’s Office” means the office of the Administrative Agent specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.1(c). “Administrative Questionnaire” means an administrative questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent. “Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution. “Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified. “Agent Parties” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 11.1(e)(ii). “Agreement” means this Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. “Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and the rules and regulations thereunder, the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 and the rules and regulations thereunder and any other anti-corruption law applicable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
2 “Anti-Money Laundering Laws” means any and all laws, statutes, regulations or obligatory government orders, decrees, ordinances or rules related to terrorism financing, money laundering, any predicate crime to money laundering or any financial record keeping, including any applicable provision of the PATRIOT Act and The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the “Bank Secrecy Act,” 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330 and 12 U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820(b) and 1951-1959). “Applicable Law” means all applicable provisions of constitutions, laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, treaties, regulations, permits, licenses, approvals, interpretations and orders of Governmental Authorities and all orders and decrees of all courts and arbitrators. “Applicable Margin” means, for any Pricing Period, with respect to the fees referred to below and outstanding Loans of the types referred to below, the per annum amount set forth below in the corresponding column under Applicable Margin opposite the applicable Pricing Level: Pricing Level Applicable Margin (in basis points per annum) Facility Fee SOFR Loans/ Letter of Credit Fee Base Rate Loans 1 7.50 80.0 0.0 2 10.0 90.0 0.0 3 12.5 100.0 0.0 4 17.5 107.5 7.5 5 22.5 127.5 27.5 Initially, commencing on the Closing Date the Applicable Margin shall be determined based upon Pricing Level 3. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the applicable Pricing Level shall be adjusted on each Pricing Level Change Date (to the extent necessary). If the rating system of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch changes, or if any such rating agency ceases to be in the business of rating corporate debt obligations, the Borrower and the Lenders shall negotiate in good faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed rating system or the unavailability of ratings from such rating agencies or shall select a replacement rating agency and, pending the effectiveness of any such amendment or replacement, for purposes of determining the Applicable Margin the Pricing Rating of the affected rating agency shall be deemed to be the Pricing Rating of such rating agency as most recently in effect before such change or cessation. “Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender. “Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 11.8), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form attached as Exhibit F or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower. “Attributable Debt” means, as to any particular lease relating to a Sale-and-Leaseback Transaction, the greater of (i) the present value of all Lease Rentals required to be paid by the Borrower or any Subsidiary under such lease during the remaining term thereof (determined in accordance with GAAP using a discount factor equal to the interest rate implicit in such lease if known or, if not known, of 8% per annum) and (ii)
3 the Fair Market Value of the property subject to such Sale-and-Leaseback Transaction as determined at the time of consummation of such Sale-and-Leaseback Transaction. “Authorizing Order” means any order of any public utilities commission or any other regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Borrower, authorizing and/or restricting the indebtedness that may be created from time to time hereunder (whether on account of Extensions of Credit or otherwise). “Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, if such Benchmark is a term rate, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining the length of an interest period pursuant to this Agreement, as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then- removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to Section 4.8(c)(v). “Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution. “Bail-In Legislation” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings). “Bankruptcy Code” means 11 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq. “Base Rate” means, at any time, the highest of (a) the Prime Rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (c) Term SOFR for a one-month tenor in effect on such day plus 1% and (d) 1%; each change in the Base Rate shall take effect simultaneously with the corresponding change or changes in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Rate or Term SOFR, as applicable (provided that clause (c) shall not be applicable during any period in which Term SOFR is unavailable or unascertainable). “Base Rate Loan” means any Loan bearing interest at a rate based upon the Base Rate as provided in Section 4.1(a). “Benchmark” means, initially, the Term SOFR Reference Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event has occurred with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 4.8(c)(i). “Benchmark Replacement” means, with respect to any Benchmark Transition Event, the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then- prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement to the then-current Benchmark for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; provided that, if such Benchmark Replacement as so determined would be less than the Floor, such Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
4 “Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (a) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body or (b) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities. “Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark: (a) in the case of clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (i) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (ii) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or (b) in the case of clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) have been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be non-representative; provided that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date. For the avoidance of doubt, if such Benchmark is a term rate, the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (a) or (b) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof). “Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark: (a) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); (b) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the FRB, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator of such
5 Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or (c) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are not, or as of a specified future date will not be, representative. For the avoidance of doubt, if such Benchmark is a term rate, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof). “Benchmark Transition Start Date” means in the case of a Benchmark Transition Event, the earlier of (a) the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and (b) if such Benchmark Transition Event is a public statement or publication of information of a prospective event, the 90th day prior to the expected date of such event as of such public statement or publication of information (or if the expected date of such prospective event is fewer than ninety (90) days after such statement or publication, the date of such statement or publication). “Benchmark Unavailability Period” means the period (if any) (a) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 4.8(c)(i) and (b) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 4.8(c)(i). “Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation. “Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 CFR § 1010.230. “Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”. “Borrower” means Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., a Delaware corporation. “Borrower Materials” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 7.1. “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday on which banks in New York, New York, are open for the conduct of their commercial banking business. “Capital Lease” means any lease that in accordance with GAAP should be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee thereunder or for which the amount of the asset and liability thereunder as if so capitalized should be disclosed in a note to such balance sheet. All obligations under any lease that is treated as an operating lease under GAAP but pursuant to which the lessee thereunder retains tax ownership of the
6 leased property for federal income tax purposes shall be treated as a Capital Lease for purposes of this Agreement. “Capitalization” means, with respect to any Person as of any Covenant Compliance Date, (i) Funded Debt of that Person, plus (ii) shareholders’ equity of that Person (excluding any non-cash gain or loss resulting from the requirements of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 133 (ASC 815-20), “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”), all determined in accordance with GAAP. “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the definition of “Cash Collateralize” and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support. “Cash Collateralize” means, to pledge and deposit with, or deliver to the Administrative Agent, or directly to the applicable Issuing Lender (with notice thereof to the Administrative Agent), for the benefit of one or more of the Issuing Lenders or the Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations or Swingline Loans, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender, as appropriate, shall agree, in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender, as applicable. “Cash Equivalents” means, as to any Person, (a) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (but only so long as the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twenty- four (24) months from the date of acquisition; (b) securities issued by any state of the United States or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than twenty-four (24) months from the date of acquisition and having one of the two highest ratings from S&P, Fitch, or Moody’s; (c) domestic and Eurodollar certificates of deposit or time deposits or bankers’ acceptances maturing within twenty-four (24) months after the date of acquisition issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market and demand deposit accounts issued or offered by, any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or any Canadian chartered bank, having combined capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000; (d) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than thirty (30) days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (a) and (b) of this definition entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (c) of this definition; (e) commercial paper issued by any commercial bank incorporated in the United States having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 and commercial paper issued by any Person (other than a commercial bank) incorporated in the United States, which commercial paper has one of the two highest ratings from S&P, Fitch or Moody’s, and in each case maturing not more than ninety (90) days after the date of acquisition by such Person; and (f) investments in money market funds substantially all the assets of which are comprised of cash or securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (e) of this definition. “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any event whereby MDU ceases to own direct or indirect sole beneficial ownership (as defined under Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of this Agreement) of at least 66-2/3% of the combined voting power of the Borrower’s securities which are entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Borrower. “Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether
7 or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, implemented or issued. “Class” means, when used in reference to any Loan, whether such Loan is a Revolving Credit Loan or a Swingline Loan. “Closing Date” means the date of this Agreement. “Co-Documentation Agents” means each of CoBank, ACB, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and PNC Bank, National Association, in their respective capacities as a documentation agent for the credit facility evidenced hereby. “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. “Commitment” means (a) as to any Revolving Credit Lender, the obligation of such Revolving Credit Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans to, and to purchase participations in L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans for the account of, the Borrower hereunder in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Revolving Credit Lender’s name on Schedule 1.1 or in the applicable Assignment and Assumption, as such amount may be modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof (including Section 4.13) and (b) as to all Revolving Credit Lenders, the aggregate commitment of all Revolving Credit Lenders to make Revolving Credit Loans in the aggregate amount set forth on Schedule 1.1, as such amount may be modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof (including Section 4.13). The aggregate Commitment of all the Revolving Credit Lenders on the Closing Date shall be $200,000,000. The Commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender on the Closing Date is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 1.1. “Commitment Percentage” means, with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the percentage of the total Commitments of all the Revolving Credit Lenders represented by such Revolving Credit Lender’s Commitment. If the Commitments have terminated or expired, the Commitment Percentages shall be determined based upon the Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments. The Commitment Percentage of each Revolving Credit Lender on the Closing Date is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 1.1. “Communication” means any Loan Document and any document, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice, certificate, report, statement, disclosure, certification or authorization related to any Loan Document. “Conforming Changes” means, with respect to either the use or administration of Term SOFR or the use, administration, adoption or implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Base Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “U.S. Government Securities Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period” or any similar or analogous definition (or the addition of a concept of “interest period”), timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, the applicability and length of lookback periods, the applicability of Section 4.9, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the
8 Administrative Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of any such rate or to permit the use and administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of any such rate exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents). “Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes. “Consolidated Net Worth” means, at any time, the excess of total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries over total liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently then ended, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. “Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio” means, as of any Covenant Compliance Date, the ratio of Funded Debt to Capitalization, determined on a consolidated basis with respect to the Borrower and all of its Subsidiaries. “Consolidating Exhibits” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 7.1(a). “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto. “Covenant Compliance Date” means the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower. “Covered Party” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 11.22. “Credit Facility” means, collectively, the Revolving Credit Facility, the Swingline Facility and the L/C Facility. “Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect. “Default” means any of the events specified in Section 9.1 which with the passage of time, the giving of notice or any other condition, would constitute an Event of Default. “Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 4.15(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of the Revolving Credit Loans required to be funded by it hereunder within two (2) Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans) within two (2) Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such
9 writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the FDIC or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 4.15(b)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower, each Issuing Lender and each Lender. “Distribution” means any payment made by the Borrower on account of any equity interest in Borrower, including any dividend and any payment in purchase, redemption or other retirement of any equity interest. “Dollars” or “$” means, unless otherwise qualified, dollars in lawful currency of the United States. “EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent. “EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. “EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country. “Electronic Record” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 15 U.S.C. 7006. “Electronic Signature” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 15 U.S.C. 7006.
10 “Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 11.8 (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 11.8(b)(iii)). “Employee Benefit Plan” means (a) any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA that is maintained for employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or (b) any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan that has at any time within the preceding five (5) years been maintained, funded or administered for the employees of the Borrower or any current or former ERISA Affiliate. “Environmental Claims” means all material claims, however asserted, by any Governmental Authority or other Person alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law, or for release or injury to the environment. “Environmental Laws” means any and all federal, foreign, state, provincial and local laws, statutes, ordinances, codes, rules, standards and regulations, permits, licenses, approvals, interpretations and orders of courts or Governmental Authorities, relating to the protection of public health or the environment, including, but not limited to, requirements pertaining to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transportation, handling, reporting, licensing, permitting, investigation or remediation of Hazardous Materials. “Equity Interests” means (a) in the case of a corporation, capital stock, (b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock, (c) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited), (d) in the case of a limited liability company, membership interests, (e) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person and (f) any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing. “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the rules and regulations thereunder. “ERISA Affiliate” means any Person who together with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is treated as a single employer within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001(b) of ERISA. “ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations which is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is insolvent (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) or in “critical” status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA); (d) the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan; (e) a failure by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make required contributions to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, or the imposition of a lien in favor of a Pension Plan under Section 430(k) of the Code or Section 303(k) of ERISA; (f) an event or condition which might reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or for the imposition of any liability under Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA; (g) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate; (h) an application for a funding waiver pursuant to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan; or (i) a determination that a Pension Plan is, or
11 is reasonably expected to be, in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA). “ERISA Termination Event” means the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan, or the treatment of a plan amendment as the termination of a Pension Plan, under Section 4041 or 4042 of ERISA. “Erroneous Payment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 10.10(a). “Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 10.10(a). “Erroneous Payment Impacted Class” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 10.10(d). “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 10.10(d). “EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor thereto), as in effect from time to time. “Event of Default” means any of the events specified in Section 9.1; provided that any requirement for passage of time, giving of notice, or any other condition, has been satisfied. “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. “Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, United States federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 4.12(b)) or (ii) such Lender changes its Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 4.11, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its Lending Office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 4.11(g) and (d) any United States federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA. “Existing Credit Agreement” has the meaning assigned thereto in the Statement of Purpose. “Existing Letters of Credit” means those letters of credit existing on the Closing Date and identified on Schedule 2.6(a). “Existing Revolving Credit Maturity Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.7(a). “Extended Letter of Credit” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 3.1(b). “Extension Effective Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.7(c). “Extension Notice Deadline” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.7(b).
12 “Extension Request Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.7(a). “Extension Request Notice” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.7(a). “Extensions of Credit” means, as to any Lender at any time, the making of any Loan or participation in any Letter of Credit by such Lender, as the context requires. “Facility Fee” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.3(a). “Facility Fee Rate” means a percentage, determined as set forth in the definition of “Applicable Margin.” “Fair Market Value” means, at any time and with respect to any property, the same value of such property that would be realized in an arm’s-length sale at such time between an informed and willing buyer and an informed and willing seller (neither being under a compulsion to buy or sell). “FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities entered into in connection with the implementation of the foregoing. “FDIC” means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. “Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day, provided that if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average of the quotation for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Federal Funds Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement. “Fee Letters” means (a) the separate fee letter agreement dated October 7, 2025 among the Borrower, Wells Fargo and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, (b) the separate fee letter agreement dated October 7, 2025 among the Borrower and U.S. Bank and (c) any letter between the Borrower and any Issuing Lender (other than Wells Fargo or U.S. Bank) relating to certain fees payable to such Issuing Lender in its capacity as such. “Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Inc., and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency (or if neither Fitch Ratings Inc. nor any such successor shall be in the business of rating long-term indebtedness, a nationally recognized rating agency in the United States as mutually agreed between the Required Lenders and the Borrower). “Floor” means a rate of interest equal to 0%. “Foreign Lender” means a Lender that is not a U.S. Person. “FRB” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.
13 “Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to any Issuing Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender, other than such L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof and (b) with respect to the Swingline Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment Percentage of outstanding Swingline Loans other than Swingline Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof. “Fund” means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans, bonds and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities. “Funded Debt” of any Person means (without duplication) (a) all Indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money (which shall, in the case of the Borrower, include but not be limited to all Indebtedness under this Agreement and all Indebtedness arising under the Indenture); (b) Indebtedness of such Person evidenced by bonds, notes or similar written instruments, whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money; (c) all liabilities required to appear on such Person’s balance sheet with respect to Capital Lease obligations of such Person; (d) all Indebtedness secured by a Lien on any property owned by such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person or is nonrecourse to such Person; (e) the face amount of all letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances issued for the account of such Person, and without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder; (f) all obligations of such Person with respect to leases constituting part of a Sale-and-Leaseback Transaction; (g) all net obligations of such Person under interest rate agreements or currency agreements; and (h) Guaranty obligations of such Person with respect to Indebtedness for borrowed money of another Person (including affiliates). “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any lease (whether or not in existence on the Closing Date) that would have been considered an operating lease under the provisions of GAAP as in effect as of December 31, 2018 (and not as a capital or finance lease) regardless of any change in GAAP (whether or not such change in GAAP is contemplated as of the date hereof) following December 31, 2018 that would otherwise require such lease to be re-characterized (on a prospective or retroactive basis or otherwise) as a capital or finance lease, shall be treated as an operating lease. “Governmental Approvals” means all authorizations, consents, approvals, permits, licenses and exemptions of, and all registrations and filings with or issued by, any Governmental Authorities. “Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra- national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank) and any group or body charged with setting financial accounting or regulatory capital rules or standards (including the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Bank for International Settlements or the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision or any successor or similar authority to any of the foregoing).
14 “Guaranty” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation (except the endorsement in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection) of such Person guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any Indebtedness, dividend or other obligation of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including obligations incurred through an agreement, contingent or otherwise, by such Person: (a) to purchase (or advance or supply funds for the purchase of) such Indebtedness or obligation or any property constituting security therefor; (b) to advance or supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of such Indebtedness or obligation, or (ii) to maintain any working capital or other balance sheet condition or any income statement condition of any other Person or otherwise to advance or make available funds for the purchase or payment of such Indebtedness or obligation; (c) to lease properties or to purchase properties or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or obligation of the ability of any other Person to make payment of the indebtedness or obligation; or (d) otherwise to assure the owner of such Indebtedness or obligation against loss in respect thereof. In any computation of the Indebtedness or other liabilities of the obligor under any Guaranty, the Indebtedness or other obligations that are the subject of such Guaranty shall be assumed to be direct obligations of such obligor. “Hazardous Materials” means any substances or materials (a) which are or become defined as hazardous wastes, hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants, chemical substances or mixtures or toxic substances under any Environmental Law, (b) which are toxic, explosive, corrosive, flammable, infectious, radioactive, carcinogenic, mutagenic or otherwise harmful to public health or the environment and are or become regulated by any Governmental Authority, (c) the presence of which require investigation or remediation under any Environmental Law or common law, (d) the discharge or emission or release of which requires a permit or license under any Environmental Law or other Governmental Approval, (e) which are deemed by a Governmental Authority to constitute a nuisance or a trespass which pose a health or safety hazard to Persons or neighboring properties, or (f) which contain, without limitation, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, petroleum hydrocarbons, petroleum derived substances or waste, crude oil, nuclear fuel, natural gas or synthetic gas. “Hedge Agreement” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement.
15 “IFRS” means the body of pronouncements issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”), including International Financial Reporting Standards and interpretations approved by the IASB, International Accounting Standards and Standing Interpretations Committee interpretations approved by the predecessor International Accounting Standards Committee and adapted for use in the European Union. “Increased Amount Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.13(a). “Incremental Commitment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.13(a). “Incremental Lender” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.13(a). “Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person at any date and without duplication: (a) its liabilities for borrowed money, including obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments of any such Person, and its redemption obligations in respect of mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock; (b) its liabilities for the deferred purchase price of property acquired by such Person (excluding accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business but including all liabilities created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to any such property); (c) (i) all liabilities appearing on its balance sheet in accordance with GAAP in respect of Capital Leases and (ii) all liabilities which would appear on its balance sheet in accordance with GAAP in respect of Synthetic Leases assuming such Synthetic Leases were accounted for as Capital Leases; (d) all liabilities for borrowed money secured by any Lien with respect to any property owned by such Person, whether or not it has assumed or otherwise become liable for such liabilities (other than Indebtedness of others secured by Liens, neither assumed nor guaranteed by such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person nor with respect to which such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person pays principal and/or interest, existing upon real estate or rights in or relating to real estate acquired by such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person for substation, metering station, gathering line, transmission line, transportation line, distribution line or right of way purposes to the extent such Lien does not, or the foreclosure thereof would not, materially impair the value of such property or the use of such property for the purpose for which it was acquired by such Person or such Subsidiary); (e) all its liabilities in respect of letters of credit or instruments serving a similar function issued or accepted for its account by banks and other financial institutions whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money; (f) the aggregate Swap Termination Value of all Swap Contracts of such Person; (g) all Securitization Obligations of such Person; (h) all Attributable Debt; (i) Preferred Stock of any Subsidiary held by a Person other than the such Person or a Wholly- Owned Subsidiary of such Person; and (j) any Guaranty of such Person with respect to liabilities of a type described in any of clauses (a) through (i) hereof.
16 Indebtedness of any Person shall include all obligations of such Person of the character described in clauses (a) through (j) to the extent such Person remains legally liable in respect thereof notwithstanding that any such obligation is deemed to be extinguished under GAAP. “Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes. “Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 11.3(b). “Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of December 15, 2003, by the Borrower and delivered to the Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee thereunder, as heretofore amended and supplemented and as hereafter amended and/or supplemented from time to time. “Information” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 11.9. “Initial Issuing Lender” means each of Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank. “Interest Period” means, as to any SOFR Loan, the period commencing on the date such SOFR Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a SOFR Loan and ending on the date one (1), three (3), or six (6) months thereafter, in each case as selected by the Borrower in its Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation and subject to availability; provided that: (a) the Interest Period shall commence on the date of advance of or conversion to any SOFR Loan and, in the case of immediately successive Interest Periods, each successive Interest Period shall commence on the date on which the immediately preceding Interest Period expires; (b) if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day; provided that if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding Business Day; (c) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the relevant calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; (d) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Revolving Credit Maturity Date; (e) there shall be no more than ten (10) Interest Periods in effect at any time for such Credit Facility; and (f) no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 4.8(c)(v) shall be available for specification in any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation. “Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. § 80(a)(1), et seq.). “IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
17 “ISP” means the International Standby Practices, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the applicable time). “Issuing Lender” means (i) the Initial Issuing Lenders and (ii) any other Revolving Credit Lender to the extent it has agreed in its sole discretion to act as an “Issuing Lender” hereunder and that has been approved in writing by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (such approval by the Administrative Agent not to be unreasonably delayed or withheld) as an “Issuing Lender” hereunder, in each case in its capacity as issuer of any Letter of Credit (in each case, through itself or through one of its designated Affiliates or branch offices). “Joint Lead Arrangers” means (a) Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, U.S. Bank, CoBank, ACB, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and PNC Capital Markets LLC, in their respective capacities as joint bookrunners and (b) Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, U.S. Bank, CoBank, ACB, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and PNC Capital Markets LLC, in their respective capacities as joint lead arrangers. “L/C Commitment” means, as to any Issuing Lender, the obligation of such Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower or one or more of its Subsidiaries from time to time in an aggregate amount equal to (a) for each of the Initial Issuing Lenders, the amount set forth opposite the name of each such Initial Issuing Lender on Schedule 1.1 and (b) for any other Issuing Lender becoming an Issuing Lender after the Closing Date, such amount as separately agreed to in a written agreement between the Borrower and such Issuing Lender (which such agreement shall be promptly delivered to the Administrative Agent upon execution), in each case of clauses (a) and (b) above, any such amount may be changed after the Closing Date in a written agreement between the Borrower and such Issuing Lender (which such agreement shall be promptly delivered to the Administrative Agent upon execution); provided that the L/C Commitment with respect to any Person that ceases to be an Issuing Lender for any reason pursuant to the terms hereof shall be $0 (subject to the Letters of Credit of such Person remaining outstanding in accordance with the provisions hereof). “L/C Facility” means the letter of credit facility established pursuant to Article III. “L/C Obligations” means at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn and unexpired face amount of the then outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under Letters of Credit which have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section 3.5. “L/C Participants” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the collective reference to all the Revolving Credit Lenders other than the applicable Issuing Lender. “L/C Sublimit” means the lesser of (a) $20,000,000 and (b) the Commitment. “Lease Rentals” means, with respect to any period, the sum of the minimum amount of rental and other obligations required to be paid during such period by the Borrower or any Subsidiary as lessee under all leases of real or personal property (other than Capital Leases), excluding any amounts required to be paid by the lessee (whether or not therein designated as rental or additional rental) (a) which are on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates and similar charges, or (b) which are based on profits, revenues or sales realized by the lessee from the leased property or otherwise based on the performance of the lessee. “Lender” means each Person executing this Agreement as a Lender on the Closing Date and any other Person that shall have become a party to this Agreement as a Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or pursuant to Section 4.13, other than any Person that ceases to be a party hereto as a Lender
18 pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender. “Lender Joinder Agreement” means a joinder agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent delivered in connection with Section 4.13. “Lender Parties” means collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders, each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 10.5, any other holder from time to time of any of any Obligations and, in each case, their respective successors and permitted assigns. “Lender Related Party” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 11.5(e). “Lending Office” means, with respect to any Lender, the office of such Lender maintaining such Lender’s Extensions of Credit, which office may, to the extent the applicable Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing, include an office of any Affiliate of such Lender or any domestic or foreign branch of such Lender or Affiliate. “Letter of Credit Application” means an application requesting the applicable Issuing Lender to issue a Letter of Credit in the form specified by the applicable Issuing Lender from time to time. “Letter of Credit Documents” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, a letter of credit agreement or reimbursement agreement and any other document, agreement and instrument required by the applicable Issuing Lender and relating to such Letter of Credit, in each case in the form specified by the applicable Issuing Lender from time to time. “Letters of Credit” means the collective reference to letters of credit issued pursuant to Section 3.1 and the Existing Letters of Credit. “Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, leasehold mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, hypothecation or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset. For the purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any asset which it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, Capital Lease or other title retention agreement relating to such asset; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien. “Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, each Note, the Letter of Credit Documents, the Fee Letters and each other document, instrument, certificate and agreement executed and delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection herewith. “Loans” means the collective reference to the Revolving Credit Loans and the Swingline Loans, and “Loan” means any of such Loans. “Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect on, the operations, business, assets or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) a material impairment of the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (c) a material adverse effect on the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or the Issuing Lenders under any Loan Document or (d) an impairment of the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the Borrower of any Loan Document to which it is a party.
19 “Material Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary formed or acquired after the Closing Date, the total assets of which constitute greater than 10% of the total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. “MDU” means MDU Resources Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation. “MDUEC” means MDU Energy Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. “Minimum Collateral Amount” means, at any time, (a) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Fronting Exposure of the Issuing Lenders with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time and (ii) the Fronting Exposure of the Swingline Lender with respect to all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time and (b) otherwise, 105% of the amount of Cash Collateral to which each of the applicable Issuing Lenders is entitled hereunder at such time. “Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency (or if neither Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. nor any such successor shall be in the business of rating long-term indebtedness, a nationally recognized rating agency in the United States as mutually agreed between the Required Lenders and the Borrower). “Multiemployer Plan” means a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is making, or is accruing an obligation to make, or has accrued an obligation to make contributions within the preceding three (3) years and which is subject to Title IV of ERISA. “Non-Consenting Lender” means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver, amendment, modification or termination that (a) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 11.2 and (b) has been approved by the Required Lenders. “Non-Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time. “Non-Extending Lender” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.7(b). “Notes” means the collective reference to the Revolving Credit Notes and the Swingline Note. “Notice of Account Designation” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.3(b). “Notice of Borrowing” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.3(a). “Notice of Conversion/Continuation” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.2. “Notice of Prepayment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.4(c). “Obligations” means, in each case, whether now in existence or hereafter arising: (a) the principal of and interest on (including interest and fees accruing after the filing of any bankruptcy or similar petition) the Loans, (b) the L/C Obligations and (c) all other fees and commissions (including attorneys’ fees), charges, indebtedness, loans, liabilities, financial accommodations, obligations, covenants and duties owing by the Borrower to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders or the Administrative Agent, in each case under any Loan Document, with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit of every kind, nature and description, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, contractual or tortious, liquidated or unliquidated,
20 and whether or not evidenced by any note and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against the Borrower of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws, naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding. “OFAC” means the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. “Officer’s Compliance Certificate” means a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E. “Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document). “Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court, documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 4.12). “Outbound Investment Rules” means the regulations administered and enforced, together with any related public guidance issued, by the United States Treasury Department under U.S. Executive Order 14105 of August 9, 2023, or any similar law or regulation, and as codified at 31 C.F.R. § 850.101 et seq. “Overnight Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Rate and (b) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. “Participant” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 11.8(d). “Participant Register” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 11.8(d). “PATRIOT Act” means the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)). “Payment Recipient” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 10.10(a). “PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor agency. “Pension Plan” means a pension plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA or the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code, which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains, or to which it makes, is making, or is obligated to make contributions, or in the case of a multiple employer plan (as described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA) has made contributions at any time during the immediately preceding five (5) plan years but excluding any Multiemployer Plan. “Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
21 “Plan Asset Regulations” means 29 CFR § 2510.3-101 et seq., as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA, as amended from time to time. “Platform” means Debt Domain, Intralinks, SyndTrak or a substantially similar electronic transmission system. “Preferred Stock” means any class of capital stock of a Person that is preferred over any other class of capital stock (or similar equity interests) of such Person as to the payment of dividends or the payment of any amount upon liquidation or dissolution of such Person. “Pricing Level” means, for each Pricing Period, the pricing level set forth below opposite the Pricing Rating achieved by the Borrower as of the first day of that Pricing Period (subject to the provisions of the definition of “Pricing Rating”): Pricing Level Pricing Rating 1 A1/A+/A+ or above 2 A2/A/A 3 A3/A-/A- 4 Baa1/BBB+/BBB+ 5 Baa2/BBB/BBB or below or not rated “Pricing Level Change Date” means, with respect to any change in the Pricing Level that results in a change in the Applicable Margin, the date that Moody’s, S&P or Fitch announces any change in the Pricing Rating. “Pricing Period” means (a) the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the day prior to the first Pricing Level Change Date to occur thereafter and (b) each subsequent period commencing on each Pricing Level Change Date and ending the day prior to the next Pricing Level Change Date. “Pricing Rating” means, as of any date of determination of the Applicable Margin, (a) the rating assigned by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch to the outstanding senior unsecured non-credit-enhanced long-term indebtedness of the Borrower or (b) if none of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch has assigned a rating of the type described in clause (a), the corporate rating assigned to the Borrower by Moody’s or S&P or the issuer rating assigned to the Borrower by Fitch; provided that (i) if only two of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch have in effect a Pricing Rating, (x) if the Borrower is split-rated and the ratings differential is one Pricing Level, the higher rating will apply, (y) if the Borrower is split-rated and the ratings differential is two Pricing Levels or more, the intermediate rating at the midpoint will apply (or if there is no midpoint, the higher of the two intermediate ratings will apply), (ii) if all three of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch have in effect a Pricing Rating, if the Borrower is split-rated the highest of the two ratings shall be used and the Pricing Level shall be determined based on such two highest ratings pursuant to the preceding clause (i), and (iii) if only one of the three rating agencies has assigned such a rating, the Pricing Level corresponding to such rating shall apply. For purposes hereof, the rating by each rating agency as of any date shall be the applicable rating by such agency in effect at the close of business on such date. “Prime Rate” means, at any time, the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its prime rate. Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the day such change in such prime rate occurs. The parties hereto acknowledge that the rate announced publicly by the Administrative Agent as its prime rate is an index or base rate and shall not necessarily be its lowest or best rate charged to its customers or other banks.
22 “PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time. “Public Lenders” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 7.1. “QFC Credit Support” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 11.22. “Recipient” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any Issuing Lender, as applicable. “Redeemable Preferred Stock” of any Person means any equity interest of such Person that by its terms (or by the terms of any equity interest into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or otherwise (including on the happening of any event), is required to be redeemed for cash or other property or is redeemable for cash or other property at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date; or is exchangeable for Indebtedness at any time, in whole or in part, on or prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date provided that Redeemable Preferred Stock shall not include any equity interest by virtue of the fact that it may be exchanged or converted at the option of the holder or of the Borrower for equity interests of the Borrower having no preference as to dividends, distributions or liquidation over any other equity interests of the Borrower. “Register” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 11.8(c). “Reimbursement Obligation” means the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse any Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.5 for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender. “Reinstated Letter of Credit” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 3.12(e). “Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors, representatives and heirs of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates. “Relevant Governmental Body” means the FRB and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the FRB and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or any successor thereto. “Removal Effective Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 10.6(b). “Reportable Event” means any of the events required to be reported by Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations thereunder, other than any such event for which the 30-day notice requirement under ERISA has been waived in regulations issued by the PBGC. “Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having Total Credit Exposures representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the Total Credit Exposures of all Lenders. The Total Credit Exposure of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time. “Resignation Effective Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 10.6(a). “Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.
23 “Responsible Officer” means, as to any Person, the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, controller, treasurer or assistant treasurer or similar person of such Person or any other officer of such Person designated in writing by the Borrower, or, if such Person does not have any such officer, such officers of such Person’s managing member or general partner; provided that, to the extent requested thereby, the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of such Person certifying as to the incumbency and genuineness of the signature of each such officer. Any document delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Person shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Person and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Person. “Revolving Credit Exposure” means, as to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount of its outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and such Revolving Credit Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans at such time. “Revolving Credit Facility” means the revolving credit facility established pursuant to Article II (including any increase in such revolving credit facility established pursuant to Section 4.13). “Revolving Credit Lenders” means, collectively, all of the Lenders with a Commitment. “Revolving Credit Loan” means any revolving loan made to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1, and all such revolving loans collectively as the context requires. “Revolving Credit Maturity Date” means the earliest to occur of (a)(1) December 11, 2030 and (2) if the Revolving Credit Maturity Date is extended pursuant to Section 2.7 as to any Revolving Credit Lender, such extended maturity date as determined pursuant to such Section, except, in each case under this clause (a), that, if such date is not a Business Day, the Revolving Credit Maturity Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day, (b) the date of termination of the entire Commitment by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.5, and (c) the date of termination of the Commitment pursuant to Section 9.2(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary herein, upon the occurrence of a Trigger Date, if the Borrower has not received all Governmental Approvals required to be obtained in order to request Extensions of Credit under this Agreement, then the Revolving Credit Maturity Date shall be the applicable Trigger Date. “Revolving Credit Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Revolving Credit Lender evidencing the Revolving Credit Loans made by such Revolving Credit Lender, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A-1, and any substitutes therefor, and any replacements, restatements, renewals or extension thereof, in whole or in part. “Revolving Credit Outstandings” means the sum of (a) with respect to Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans, as the case may be, occurring on such date; plus (b) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the aggregate outstanding amount thereof on such date after giving effect to any Extensions of Credit occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements of outstanding unpaid drawings under any Letters of Credit or any reductions in the maximum amount available for drawing under Letters of Credit taking effect on such date. “S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency (or, if neither such division nor any successor shall be in the
24 business of rating long-term indebtedness, a nationally recognized rating agency in the United States as mutually agreed between the Required Lenders and the Borrower). “Sale-and-Leaseback Transaction” means a transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall sell or transfer to any Person (other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary) any property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and, as part of the same transaction or series of transactions, the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall rent or lease as lessee (other than pursuant to a Capital Lease), or similarly acquire the right to possession or use of, such property or one or more properties which it intends to use for the same purpose or purposes as such property. “Sanctioned Country” means at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself (or whose government is) the subject or target of any Sanctions. “Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC (including OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List and OFAC’s Consolidated Non-SDN List), the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European member state, His Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country, (c) any Person owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any such Person or Persons described in clauses (a) and (b), including a Person that is deemed by OFAC to be a Sanctions target based on the ownership of such legal entity by Sanctioned Person(s) or (d) any Person otherwise a target of Sanctions, including vessels and aircraft, that are designated under any Sanctions program. “Sanctions” means any and all economic or financial sanctions, sectoral sanctions, secondary sanctions, trade embargoes and restrictions and anti-terrorism laws, including but not limited to those imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by the U.S. government (including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European member state, His Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority with jurisdiction in which (a) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is located or conducts business, (b) in which any of the proceeds of the Extensions of Credit will be used, or (c) from which repayment of the Extensions of Credit will be derived. “Securitization Obligations” means, with respect to any Securitization Transaction, the aggregate investment or claim held at any time by all purchasers, assignees or transferees of (or of interests in) or holders of obligations that are supported or secured by accounts receivable, lease receivables and other rights to payment in connection with such Securitization Transaction. “Securitization Transaction” means any sale, assignment or other transfer by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of accounts receivable, lease receivables or other payment obligations owing to the Borrower or such Subsidiary or any interest in any of the foregoing, together in each case with any collections and other proceeds thereof, any collection or deposit accounts related thereto, and any collateral, guaranties or other property or claims in favor of the Borrower or such Subsidiary supporting or securing payment by the obligor thereon of, or otherwise related to, any such receivables. “SOFR” means a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator. “SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).
25 “SOFR Loan” means any Loan bearing interest at a rate based on Term SOFR as provided in Section 4.1(a). “Solvent” means as to any Person at any time (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the amount of such Person’s liabilities (including the probable liability of such Person on disputed, contingent and unliquidated liabilities) as such value is established and liabilities evaluated for purposes of Section 101(32) of the Bankruptcy Code; (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured; (c) such Person is able to realize upon its property and pay its debts and other liabilities (including the probable liability of such Person on disputed, contingent and unliquidated liabilities) as they mature in the normal course of business; (d) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature; and (e) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute unreasonably small capital. “Stated Revolving Credit Maturity Date” means the date described in clause (a) of the definition of “Revolving Credit Maturity Date.” Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary herein, upon the occurrence of a Trigger Date if the Borrower has not received all Governmental Approvals required to be obtained in order to request Extensions of Credit under this Agreement, then the Stated Revolving Credit Maturity Date shall be the applicable Trigger Date. “Subsidiary” means as to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Equity Interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity is at the time owned by (directly or indirectly) or the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) is otherwise controlled by (directly or indirectly) such Person (other than Equity Interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency). Unless otherwise qualified, references to “Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” herein shall refer to those of the Borrower. “Supported QFC” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 11.22. “Swap Contract” means (a) any and all interest rate swap transactions, basis swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, currency options, spot contracts or any other similar transactions or any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., or any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement. “Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts.
26 “Swingline Commitment” means the lesser of (a) $15,000,000 and (b) the unutilized Commitment of Wells Fargo. “Swingline Facility” means the swingline facility established pursuant to Section 2.2. “Swingline Lender” means Wells Fargo in its capacity as swingline lender hereunder or any successor thereto. “Swingline Loan” means any swingline loan made by the Swingline Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.2, and all such swingline loans collectively as the context requires. “Swingline Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of the Swingline Lender evidencing the Swingline Loans made by the Swingline Lender, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A-2, and any substitutes therefor, and any replacements, restatements, renewals or extension thereof, in whole or in part. “Swingline Participation Amount” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.2(b)(iii). “Synthetic Lease” means, at any time, any lease (including leases that may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of any property (a) that is accounted for as an operating lease under GAAP and (b) in respect of which the lessee retains or obtains ownership of the property so leased for United States federal income tax purposes, other than any such lease under which such Person is the lessor. “Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, fines, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto. “Term SOFR” means: (a) for any calculation with respect to a SOFR Loan, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period on the day (such day, the “Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on any Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day, and (b) for any calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor of one month on the day (such day, the “Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such day, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on any Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR
27 Administrator so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day ; provided that if Term SOFR as so determined shall ever be less than the Floor, then Term SOFR shall be deemed to be the Floor. “Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited (CBA) (or a successor administrator of the Term SOFR Reference Rate selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion). “Term SOFR Reference Rate” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR. “Total Credit Exposure” means, as to any Lender at any time, the unused Commitments and Revolving Credit Exposure of such Lender at such time. “Trigger Date” means September 10, 2027, or any other date on which the Borrower shall require an additional Governmental Approval in order to obtain additional Extensions of Credit and perform its obligations under this Agreement. “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York. “UK Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms. “UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution. “Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment. “Unfunded Pension Liability” means the excess of a Pension Plan’s benefit liabilities under Section 302(d)(7) of ERISA, over the current value of that Pension Plan’s assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions used for funding the Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412 of the Code for the applicable plan year. “United States” means the United States of America. “United States Person” means any United States citizen, lawful permanent resident, entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States, including any foreign branch of any such entity, or any Person in the United States. “U.S. Bank” means U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association. “U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (a) a Saturday, (b) a Sunday or (c) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States
28 government securities; provided, that for purposes of notice requirements in Section 2.3(a), Section 2.4(c) and Section 4.2, in each case, such day is also a Business Day. “U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code. “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 11.22. “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.11(g)(ii)(B)(3). “Wells Fargo” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association. “Wholly-Owned” means, with respect to a Subsidiary, that all of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary are, directly or indirectly, owned or controlled by the Borrower and/or one or more of its Wholly- Owned Subsidiaries (except for directors’ qualifying shares or other shares required by Applicable Law to be owned by a Person other than the Borrower and/or one or more of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries). “Withholding Agent” means the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. “Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail- In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers. Section 1.2 Other Definitions and Provisions. With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document: (a) the definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined, (b) whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms, (c) the words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation,” (d) the word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”, (e) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (f) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (g) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (h) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights, (i) the term “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form and (j) in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including,” (k) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document) and (l) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory
29 provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time. Section 1.3 Accounting Terms. (a) All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with GAAP as in effect from time to time, subject to clause (b) below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded, and (ii) the Borrower may at any time make a one-time election to adopt IFRS in lieu of GAAP; provided, that the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent that it has made such election and, upon such notice, references herein to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean IFRS as in effect from time to time. After such election, the Borrower shall not subsequently elect to adopt GAAP in lieu of IFRS. (b) If at any time the adoption of IFRS by the Borrower or any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such adoption of IFRS or change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP as in effect and applied immediately prior to such adoption of IFRS or change in GAAP shall have become effective and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such adoption of IFRS or change in GAAP. Section 1.4 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio or percentage is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number). Section 1.5 References to Agreement and Laws. Any definition or reference to any Applicable Law, including Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws, the Bankruptcy Code, the Code, ERISA, the Exchange Act, the PATRIOT Act, the UCC, the Investment Company Act, or any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department, shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Applicable Law. Section 1.6 Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable). Section 1.7 Guaranties/Earn-Outs. Unless otherwise specified, (a) the amount of any Guaranty shall be the lesser of the amount of the obligations guaranteed and still outstanding and the maximum amount for which the guaranteeing Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guaranty and (b) the amount of any earn-out or similar obligation shall be the amount of such obligation as reflected on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP.
30 Section 1.8 Divisions. For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interest at such time. Section 1.9 Rates. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, (a) the continuation of, administration of, submission of, calculation of or any other matter related to the Term SOFR Reference Rate or Term SOFR, or any component definition thereof or rates referred to in the definition thereof, or with respect to any alternative, successor or replacement rate thereto (including any Benchmark Replacement), including whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement), as it may or may not be adjusted pursuant to Section 4.8(c), will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, or have the same volume or liquidity as, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR or any other Benchmark prior to its discontinuance or unavailability, or (b) the effect, implementation or composition of any Conforming Changes. The Administrative Agent and its Affiliates or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR, any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) or any relevant adjustments thereto and such transactions may be adverse to the Borrower. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain the Term SOFR Reference Rate or Term SOFR, or any other Benchmark, any component definition thereof or rates referred to in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service. ARTICLE II REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY Section 2.1 Revolving Credit Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, each Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make Revolving Credit Loans in Dollars to the Borrower from time to time from the Closing Date to, but not including, the Revolving Credit Maturity Date as requested by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section 2.3; provided, that (a) the Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the aggregate Commitments of all the Revolving Credit Lenders and (b) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Revolving Credit Lender shall not at any time exceed such Revolving Credit Lender’s Commitment. Each Revolving Credit Loan by a Revolving Credit Lender shall be in a principal amount equal to such Revolving Credit Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans requested on such occasion. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Revolving Credit Loans hereunder until the Revolving Credit Maturity Date. Section 2.2 Swingline Loans. (a) Availability. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including Section 2.2(c) of this Agreement, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans in Dollars to the Borrower from time to time from the Closing Date to, but not including,
31 the Revolving Credit Maturity Date; provided, that (i) after giving effect to any amount requested, the Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the aggregate Commitments of all the Revolving Credit Lenders and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Swingline Loans (after giving effect to any amount requested) shall not exceed the Swingline Commitment. (b) Refunding. (i) The Swingline Lender, at any time and from time to time in its sole and absolute discretion may, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably directs the Swingline Lender to act on its behalf), by written notice given no later than 1:00 p.m. on any Business Day request each Revolving Credit Lender to make, and each Revolving Credit Lender hereby agrees to make, a Revolving Credit Loan as a Base Rate Loan in an amount equal to such Revolving Credit Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the aggregate amount of the Swingline Loans outstanding on the date of such notice, to repay the Swingline Lender. Each Revolving Credit Lender shall make the amount of such Revolving Credit Loan available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 3:00 p.m. on the day specified in such notice. The proceeds of such Revolving Credit Loans shall be immediately made available by the Administrative Agent to the Swingline Lender for application by the Swingline Lender to the repayment of the Swingline Loans. No Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to fund its respective Commitment Percentage of a Swingline Loan shall be affected by any other Revolving Credit Lender’s failure to fund its Commitment Percentage of a Swingline Loan, nor shall any Revolving Credit Lender’s Commitment Percentage be increased as a result of any such failure of any other Revolving Credit Lender to fund its Commitment Percentage of a Swingline Loan. (ii) The Borrower shall pay to the Swingline Lender on demand, and in any event on the date set forth in Section 2.4(a), in immediately available funds the amount of such Swingline Loans to the extent amounts received from the Revolving Credit Lenders are not sufficient to repay in full the outstanding Swingline Loans requested or required to be refunded. If any portion of any such amount paid to the Swingline Lender shall be recovered by or on behalf of the Borrower from the Swingline Lender in bankruptcy or otherwise, the loss of the amount so recovered shall be ratably shared among all the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages. (iii) If for any reason any Swingline Loan cannot be refinanced with a Revolving Credit Loan pursuant to Section 2.2(b)(i), each Revolving Credit Lender shall, on the date such Revolving Credit Loan was to have been made pursuant to the notice referred to in Section 2.2(b)(i), purchase for cash an undivided participating interest in the then outstanding Swingline Loans by paying to the Swingline Lender an amount (the “Swingline Participation Amount”) equal to such Revolving Credit Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans then outstanding. Each Revolving Credit Lender will immediately transfer to the Swingline Lender, in immediately available funds, the amount of its Swingline Participation Amount. Whenever, at any time after the Swingline Lender has received from any Revolving Credit Lender such Revolving Credit Lender’s Swingline Participation Amount, the Swingline Lender receives any payment on account of the Swingline Loans, the Swingline Lender will distribute to such Revolving Credit Lender its Swingline Participation Amount (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s participating interest was outstanding and funded and, in the case of principal and interest payments, to reflect such Revolving Credit Lender’s pro rata portion of such payment if such payment is not sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on all Swingline Loans then due); provided that in the event that such payment received by the Swingline Lender is required to be returned, such Revolving Credit
32 Lender will return to the Swingline Lender any portion thereof previously distributed to it by the Swingline Lender. (iv) Each Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to make the Revolving Credit Loans referred to in Section 2.2(b)(i) and to purchase participating interests pursuant to Section 2.2(b)(iii) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Revolving Credit Lender or the Borrower may have against the Swingline Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or an Event of Default or the failure to satisfy any of the other conditions specified in Article V, (C) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower, (D) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by the Borrower or any other Revolving Credit Lender or (E) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. (v) If any Revolving Credit Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, any amount required to be paid by such Revolving Credit Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.2(b) by the time specified in Section 2.2(b)(i) or 2.2(b)(iii), as applicable, the Swingline Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Revolving Credit Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Swingline Lender at a rate per annum equal to the Overnight Rate, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swingline Lender in connection with the foregoing. If such Revolving Credit Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Loan or Swingline Participation Amount, as the case may be. A certificate of the Swingline Lender submitted to any Revolving Credit Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (v) shall be conclusive absent manifest error. (c) Defaulting Lenders. So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loans unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect to such Swingline Loan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, this Section 2.2 shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 4.14 and Section 4.15. Section 2.3 Procedure for Advances of Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans. (a) Requests for Borrowing. The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable prior telephonic notice not later than 12:00 p.m. to be followed promptly by written notice substantially in the form of Exhibit B (a “Notice of Borrowing”) (i) on the same Business Day as each Base Rate Loan and each Swingline Loan and (ii) at least three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days before each SOFR Loan, of its intention to borrow, specifying (A) the date of such borrowing, which shall be a Business Day, (B) the amount of such borrowing, which shall be, (x) with respect to Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans) in an aggregate principal amount of $200,000 or a whole multiple of $50,000 in excess thereof, (y) with respect to SOFR Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof and (z) with respect to Swingline Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof (or, in each case, the remaining amount of the aggregate Commitments or the Swingline Commitment, as applicable), (C) whether such Loan is to be a Revolving Credit Loan or a Swingline Loan, (D) in the case of a Revolving Credit Loan whether such Loan is to be a SOFR Loan or a Base Rate Loan, and (E) in the case of a SOFR Loan, the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto. If the Borrower fails to specify a type of Loan in a Notice of Borrowing, then the applicable Loan shall be made as a Base Rate Loan. If the Borrower requests a borrowing of a SOFR Loan
33 in any such Notice of Borrowing, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month. A Notice of Borrowing received after 12:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next Business Day or U.S. Government Securities Business Day, as applicable. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Revolving Credit Lenders of each Notice of Borrowing. (b) Disbursement of Revolving Credit and Swingline Loans. Not later than 2:00 p.m. on the proposed borrowing date, (i) each Revolving Credit Lender will make available to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Borrower, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent, such Revolving Credit Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Credit Loans to be made on such borrowing date and (ii) the Swingline Lender will make available to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Borrower, at the office of the Administrative Agent in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Loans to be made on such borrowing date. The Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to disburse the proceeds of each borrowing requested pursuant to this Section in immediately available funds by crediting or wiring such proceeds to the deposit account of the Borrower identified in the most recent notice substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C (a “Notice of Account Designation”) delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or as may be otherwise agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent from time to time. Subject to Section 4.7 hereof, the Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to disburse the portion of the proceeds of any Revolving Credit Loan requested pursuant to this Section to the extent that any Revolving Credit Lender has not made available to the Administrative Agent its Commitment Percentage of such Loan. Revolving Credit Loans to be made for the purpose of refunding Swingline Loans shall be made by the Revolving Credit Lenders as provided in Section 2.2(b). Section 2.4 Repayment and Prepayment of Revolving Credit and Swingline Loans. (a) Repayment on Revolving Credit Maturity Date. The Borrower hereby agrees to repay the outstanding principal amount of (i) all Revolving Credit Loans in full on the earlier of (A) the Revolving Credit Maturity Date and (B) the date that is 364 days after such Revolving Credit Loan is made, and (ii) all Swingline Loans on the earlier to occur of (A) the date ten (10) Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made and (B) the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, together, in each case, with all accrued but unpaid interest thereon. (b) Mandatory Prepayments. If at any time the Revolving Credit Outstandings exceed the aggregate Commitments of all the Revolving Credit Lenders, the Borrower agrees to repay immediately upon notice from the Administrative Agent, by payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders, an amount equal to such excess with each such repayment applied first, to the principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans, second to the principal amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and third, with respect to any Letters of Credit then outstanding, a payment of Cash Collateral into a Cash Collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders, in an amount equal to the remaining amount of such excess payment (such Cash Collateral to be applied in accordance with Section 9.2(b)). (c) Optional Prepayments. The Borrower may at any time and from time to time prepay Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, with irrevocable (other than as set forth in this clause (c)) prior written notice to the Administrative Agent (a “Notice of Prepayment”) given not later than, unless the Administrative Agent may agree otherwise, 12:00 p.m. (i) on the same Business Day as prepayment of each Base Rate Loan prepayment and each Swingline Loan prepayment and (ii) at least three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days before each SOFR Loan prepayment, specifying the date and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of SOFR Loans, Base Rate Loans, Swingline Loans or a combination thereof, and, if of a combination thereof, the amount allocable to each. Upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each
34 Revolving Credit Lender. If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date set forth in such notice; provided that the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned on the effectiveness of another transaction, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Partial prepayments shall be in an aggregate amount of $250,000 or a whole multiple of $50,000 in excess thereof with respect to Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans), $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof with respect to SOFR Loans and $100,000 or a whole multiple of $25,000 in excess thereof with respect to Swingline Loans unless (in each case) the aggregate outstanding balance of any Loan being prepaid is less than such applicable minimum amount, in which event such prepayment may be in the amount of the aggregate outstanding balance of such Loan. A Notice of Prepayment received after 12:00 p.m. (unless the Administrative Agent otherwise agrees) shall be deemed received on the next Business Day or U.S. Government Securities Business Day, as applicable. Each such repayment shall be accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.8(a) hereof. (d) Limitation on Prepayment of SOFR Loans. The Borrower may not prepay any SOFR Loan on any day other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto unless such prepayment is accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof. Section 2.5 Permanent Reduction of the Commitment. (a) Voluntary Reduction. The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time, upon at least five (5) Business Days prior irrevocable written notice (provided that the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned on the effectiveness of another transaction, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied) to the Administrative Agent, to permanently reduce, without premium or penalty, (i) the entire Commitment at any time or (ii) portions of the Commitment, from time to time, in an aggregate principal amount not less than $3,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Any reduction of the Commitment shall be applied to the Commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender according to its Commitment Percentage. All Facility Fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Commitment shall be paid on the effective date of such termination. (b) Corresponding Payment. Each permanent reduction permitted pursuant to this Section shall be accompanied by a payment of principal sufficient to reduce the Revolving Credit Outstandings after such reduction to the Commitment as so reduced, and if the aggregate amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit exceeds the Commitment as so reduced, the Borrower shall be required to deposit Cash Collateral in a Cash Collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to such excess. Such Cash Collateral shall be applied in accordance with Section 9.2(b). Any reduction of the Commitment to zero shall be accompanied by payment of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans (and furnishing of Cash Collateral satisfactory to the Administrative Agent for all L/C Obligations) and shall result in the termination of the Commitment, the Swingline Commitment and the Revolving Credit Facility. If the reduction of the Commitment requires the repayment of any SOFR Loan, such repayment shall be accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.8(a) hereof. Section 2.6 Termination of Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility and the Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving Credit Maturity Date. Section 2.7 Extension of Revolving Credit Maturity Date. (a) Requests for Extension. The Borrower may, by notice (an “Extension Request Notice”) to the Administrative Agent (who shall promptly notify the Lenders) at any time (but not less than sixty (60)
35 days prior to the latest Revolving Credit Maturity Date then in effect hereunder) request that each Revolving Credit Lender extend such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Maturity Date then in effect hereunder (the “Existing Revolving Credit Maturity Date”) for an additional 1-year period from the Existing Revolving Credit Maturity Date. As used herein, “Extension Request Date” means the date on which the Borrower delivers an Extension Request Notice in accordance with this paragraph. (b) Lender Elections to Extend. Each Revolving Credit Lender, acting in its sole and individual discretion, shall, by notice to the Administrative Agent given not later than the day (the “Extension Notice Deadline”) that is fifteen (15) days following the Extension Request Date, notify the Administrative Agent as to whether or not such Revolving Credit Lender agrees to the requested extension. Each Revolving Credit Lender that fails to provide such notice on or before the Extension Notice Deadline shall be deemed to have notified the Administrative Agent that it does not agree to the requested extension. As used herein, “Non- Extending Lender” means each Revolving Credit Lender that provides (or is deemed to have provided) notice that it does not agree to the requested extension. The election of any Revolving Credit Lender to agree to such extension shall not obligate any other Revolving Credit Lender to so agree. (c) Notification by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of each Revolving Credit Lender’s determination under this Section on a date (the “Extension Effective Date”) that is not later than the 15th day following the Extension Notice Deadline (or, if such date is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day). (d) Minimum Extension Requirement. The Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, require any Non-Extending Lender to assign and delegate its rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more Eligible Assignees selected by the Borrower and willing to accept such assignment (in accordance with, and subject to, the restrictions and consents otherwise required for assignments generally). If (and only if) the total of the Commitments of the Revolving Credit Lenders (including Revolving Credit Lenders replacing any Non-Extending Lenders) that have agreed so to extend their Revolving Credit Maturity Date is more than 50% of the aggregate amount of the Commitments in effect immediately prior to the Existing Revolving Credit Maturity Date, then, effective as of the Existing Revolving Credit Maturity Date, the Revolving Credit Maturity Date of each extending Lender shall be extended to the first anniversary of the Existing Revolving Credit Maturity Date (except that, if such date is not a Business Day, such Revolving Credit Maturity Date as so extended shall be the next preceding Business Day). (e) Limitations. The Borrower may deliver no more than one (1) Extension Request Notice during any 12-month period and no more than two Extension Request Notices during the term of this Agreement. No extension pursuant to this Section 2.7 shall extend the Revolving Credit Maturity Date with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender to a date that is later than the fifth anniversary of the Extension Effective Date. (f) Conditions to Effectiveness of Extensions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the extension of the Revolving Credit Maturity Date pursuant to this Section shall not be effective with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender unless: (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such extension and after giving effect thereto; (ii) the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement are true and correct on and as of the date of such extension and after giving effect thereto, as though made on and as of such date (or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a specific date, as of such specific date); and
36 (iii) on or before the Revolving Credit Maturity Date of each Non-Extending Lender, (1) the Borrower shall have paid in full the principal of and interest on all of the Revolving Credit Loans made by such Non-Extending Lender to the Borrower hereunder and (2) the Borrower shall have paid in full all other amounts owing to such Non-Extending Lender hereunder. ARTICLE III LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY Section 3.1 L/C Facility. (a) Availability. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Issuing Lender, in reliance on the agreements of the Revolving Credit Lenders set forth in Section 3.4(a), agrees to issue standby Letters of Credit in an aggregate amount not to exceed its L/C Commitment for the account of the Borrower or, subject to Section 3.10, any Subsidiary thereof. Letters of Credit may be issued on any Business Day from the Closing Date to the thirtieth (30th) Business Day prior to the Stated Revolving Credit Maturity Date in such form as may be approved from time to time by the applicable Issuing Lender; only if (and upon the issuance of such Letter of Credit, or the Closing Date in the case of any Existing Letters of Credit, the Borrower shall be deemed to represent that), (i) the aggregate amount of the outstanding Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender would not exceed its L/C Commitment, (ii) the L/C Obligations would not exceed the L/C Sublimit and (iii) the Revolving Credit Outstandings would not exceed the aggregate Commitment. Letters of Credit issued hereunder shall constitute utilization of the Commitment. (b) Terms of Letters of Credit. Each Letter of Credit shall (i) be denominated in Dollars in a minimum amount of $50,000 (or such lesser amount as agreed to by the applicable Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent), (ii) expire on a date no more than twelve (12) months after the date of issuance or last renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit (subject to automatic renewal or extension for additional one (1) year periods pursuant to the terms of the Letter of Credit Documents which shall permit the applicable Issuing Lender to prevent any renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit at least once in each twelve (12) month period, provided that each Letter of Credit shall expire no later than the fifth (5th) Business Day prior to the Stated Revolving Credit Maturity Date, other than with the consent of the applicable Issuing Lender and subject to the requirements of Section 3.12 (each such Letter of Credit, an “Extended Letter of Credit”), and (iii) unless otherwise expressly agreed by the applicable Issuing Lender and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), be subject to the ISP as set forth in the Letter of Credit Documents or as determined by the applicable Issuing Lender and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the laws of the State of New York. No Issuing Lender shall at any time be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder if (A) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator or any Applicable Law applicable to such Issuing Lender or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such Issuing Lender (1) shall by its terms prohibit, purport to enjoin or restrain such Issuing Lender from issuing such Letter of Credit, or request that such Issuing Lender refrain from the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or (2) shall impose upon such Issuing Lender with respect to letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular any restriction or reserve or capital requirement (for which such Issuing Lender is not otherwise compensated) not in effect on the Closing Date, or any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense that was not applicable, in effect or known to such Issuing Lender as of the Closing Date and that such Issuing Lender in good faith deems material to it, (B) the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 are not satisfied or it has received notice from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 will not be satisfied and directing such Issuing Lender not to issue such Letter of Credit, (C) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of such Issuing Lender applicable to letters of credit generally, (D) the proceeds of such Letter of Credit would be made available to any
37 Person (x) to fund any activity or business of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country or (y) in any manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by any party to this Agreement, (E) the terms of such Letter of Credit do not comply with this Article III (including the minimum amounts required by this Section 3.1(b)) or (F) any Revolving Credit Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless such Issuing Lender has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to such Issuing Lender (in its sole discretion) with the Borrower or such Lender to eliminate such Issuing Lender’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 4.15(a)(iv)) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other L/C Obligations as to which such Issuing Lender has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion. An Issuing Lender shall be under no obligation to amend or extend any Letter of Credit if (x) such Issuing Lender would have no obligation at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended or extended form under the terms hereof or (y) the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to or extension of the Letter of Credit. References herein to “issue” and derivations thereof with respect to Letters of Credit shall also include extensions or modifications of any outstanding Letters of Credit, unless the context otherwise requires. As of the Closing Date, each of the Existing Letters of Credit shall constitute, for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, a Letter of Credit issued and outstanding hereunder. (c) Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Article III shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 4.14 and Section 4.15. Section 3.2 Procedure for Issuance and Disbursement of Letters of Credit.. (a) The Borrower may from time to time request that any Issuing Lender issue, amend, renew or extend a Letter of Credit by delivering to such Issuing Lender at its applicable office (with a copy to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office) a Letter of Credit Application therefor, completed to the satisfaction of such Issuing Lender, and such other Letter of Credit Documents and information as such Issuing Lender or the Administrative Agent may request, not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two (2) Business Days (or such later date and time as the Administrative Agent and such Issuing Lender may agree in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, as the case may be. Such Letter of Credit Application shall specify (i) the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day) of such Letter of Credit, (ii) the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with Section 3.1(b)), (iii) the amount of such Letter of Credit, (iv) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof, (v) the purpose and nature of such Letter of Credit and (vi) such other information as shall be necessary to issue, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. Upon receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the applicable Issuing Lender shall, process such Letter of Credit Application and other Letter of Credit Documents and information delivered to it in connection therewith in accordance with its customary procedures and shall, subject to Section 3.1 and Article V, promptly issue, amend, renew or extend, as applicable, such Letter of Credit by issuing the original of such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof, or as otherwise may be agreed by the Issuing Lender and the Borrower. The Issuing Lender shall promptly furnish to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a copy of the Letter of Credit and related Letter of Credit Documents. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender of the issuance and upon request by any Revolving Credit Lender, furnish to such Revolving Credit Lender a copy of the Letter of Credit and the amount of such Revolving Credit Lender’s participation therein. (b) The Issuing Lender for any Letter of Credit shall, within the time allowed by Applicable Laws or the specific terms of the Letter of Credit following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under such Letter of Credit. The Issuing Lender shall promptly after such examination notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing of such demand for payment if such Issuing Lender has or will honor such demand for payment thereunder;
38 provided that such notice need not be given prior to payment by such Issuing Lender and any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants with respect to such payment. Section 3.3 Commissions and Other Charges.. (a) Letter of Credit Commissions. Subject to Section 4.15(a)(iii)(B), the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants, a letter of credit commission with respect to each Letter of Credit in the amount equal to the daily amount available to be drawn under such standby Letters of Credit times the Applicable Margin with respect to Revolving Credit Loans that are SOFR Loans (determined, in each case, on a per annum basis). Such commission shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter (commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit), on the Revolving Credit Maturity Date and thereafter on demand of the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, distribute to the applicable Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants all commissions received pursuant to this Section 3.3 in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages. (b) Issuance Fee. In addition to the foregoing commission, the Borrower shall pay directly to the applicable Issuing Lender, for its own account, an issuance fee with respect to each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender in such amount as set forth in the Fee Letter or as otherwise agreed upon between such Issuing Lender and the Borrower. Such issuance fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Revolving Credit Maturity Date and thereafter on demand of the applicable Issuing Lender. For the avoidance of doubt, such issuance fee shall be applicable to and paid upon each of the Existing Letters of Credit. (c) Other Fees, Costs, Charges and Expenses. In addition to the foregoing fees and commissions, the Borrower shall pay or reimburse each Issuing Lender for such normal and customary fees, costs, charges and expenses as are incurred or charged by such Issuing Lender in issuing, effecting payment under, amending or otherwise administering any Letter of Credit issued by it. Such customary fees, costs, charges and expenses are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable. Section 3.4 L/C Participations.. (a) Each Issuing Lender irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby grants to each L/C Participant, and, to induce each Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, each L/C Participant irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from each Issuing Lender, on the terms and conditions hereinafter stated and without any further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Lender, for such L/C Participant’s own account and risk an undivided interest equal to such L/C Participant’s Commitment Percentage in each Issuing Lender’s obligations and rights under and in respect of each Letter of Credit issued by it hereunder and the amount of each draft paid by such Issuing Lender thereunder. Each L/C Participant absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably agrees with each Issuing Lender that, if a draft is paid under any Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender for which such Issuing Lender is not reimbursed in full by the Borrower through a Revolving Credit Loan or otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or if any reimbursement payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason (including after the Revolving Credit Maturity Date), such L/C Participant shall pay to such Issuing Lender upon demand at such Issuing Lender’s address for notices specified herein an amount equal to such L/C Participant’s Commitment Percentage of the amount of such draft, or any part thereof, which is not so reimbursed.
39 (b) Upon becoming aware of any amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant to any Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.4(a) in respect of any unreimbursed portion of any payment made by such Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit issued by it, such Issuing Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent of such unreimbursed amount and the Administrative Agent shall notify each L/C Participant (with a copy to the applicable Issuing Lender) of the amount and due date of such required payment and such L/C Participant shall pay to the Administrative Agent (which, in turn shall pay such Issuing Lender) the amount specified on the applicable due date. If any such amount is paid to such Issuing Lender after the date such payment is due, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Administrative Agent, which in turn shall pay such Issuing Lender on demand, in addition to such amount, the product of (i) such amount, times (ii) the Overnight Rate as determined by the Administrative Agent during the period from and including the date such payment is due to the date on which such payment is immediately available to such Issuing Lender, times (iii) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse during such period and the denominator of which is 360, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by such Issuing Lender in connection with the foregoing. A certificate of such Issuing Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this Section shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. With respect to payment to such Issuing Lender of the unreimbursed amounts described in this Section, if the L/C Participants receive notice that any such payment is due (A) prior to 1:00 p.m. on any Business Day, such payment shall be due that Business Day, and (B) after 1:00 p.m. on any Business Day, such payment shall be due on the following Business Day. (c) Whenever, at any time after any Issuing Lender has made payment under any Letter of Credit issued by it and has received from any L/C Participant its Commitment Percentage of such payment in accordance with this Section, such Issuing Lender receives any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly from the Administrative Agent or otherwise), or any payment of interest on account thereof, such Issuing Lender will distribute to such L/C Participant its pro rata share thereof; provided, that in the event that any such payment received by such Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by such Issuing Lender, such L/C Participant shall return to the Administrative Agent, which shall in turn pay to such Issuing Lender, the portion thereof previously distributed by such Issuing Lender to it. (d) Each L/C Participant’s obligation to make the Revolving Credit Loans and to purchase participating interests pursuant to this Section 3.4 or Section 3.5, as applicable, shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (i) any setoff, counterclaim, abatement, reduction, recoupment, defense or other right that such Revolving Credit Lender or the Borrower may have against the Issuing Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (ii) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or an Event of Default or the failure to satisfy any of the other conditions specified in Article V, (iii) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower, (iv) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by the Borrower or any other Revolving Credit Lender, (v) any adverse change in the relevant exchange rates or in the availability of any relevant currency to any L/C Participant or in the relevant currency markets generally, (vi) any extension, reinstatement or amendment of any Letter of Credit, (vii) any reduction or termination of the Commitments or (viii) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. (e) Any payment made by a Lender pursuant to this Section 3.4 shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Letter of Credit. (f) In furtherance of the foregoing, each L/C Participant acknowledges and agrees that its participation in each Letter of Credit will be automatically adjusted to reflect such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit at each time that such Lender’s Commitment is amended pursuant to Section 4.13, as a result of an assignment in accordance with Section 11.8 or otherwise in accordance with this Agreement.
40 Section 3.5 Reimbursement.. In the event of any drawing under any Letter of Credit, the Borrower agrees to reimburse (either with the proceeds of a Revolving Credit Loan as provided for in this Section or with funds from other sources), in same day funds, the applicable Issuing Lender by paying to the Administrative Agent the amount of such drawing not later than 12:00 noon on (i) the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice of such drawing, if such notice is received by the Borrower prior to 10:00 a.m., or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time, for the amount of (x) such draft so paid and (y) any amounts referred to in Section 3.3(c) incurred by such Issuing Lender in connection with such payment. Unless the Borrower shall immediately notify the Administrative Agent and such Issuing Lender that the Borrower intends to reimburse such Issuing Lender for such drawing from other sources or funds, the Borrower shall be deemed to have timely given a Notice of Borrowing to the Administrative Agent requesting that the Revolving Credit Lenders make a Revolving Credit Loan as a Base Rate Loan on the applicable repayment date in the amount (without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.3(a)) of (i) such draft so paid and (ii) any amounts referred to in Section 3.3(c) incurred by such Issuing Lender in connection with such payment, and the Revolving Credit Lenders shall make a Revolving Credit Loan as a Base Rate Loan in such amount, the proceeds of which shall be applied to reimburse such Issuing Lender for the amount of the related drawing and such fees and expenses. Each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to fund a Revolving Credit Loan in accordance with this Section to reimburse such Issuing Lender for any draft paid under a Letter of Credit issued by it is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including non-satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.3(a) or Article V. If the Borrower has elected to pay the amount of such drawing with funds from other sources and shall fail to reimburse such Issuing Lender as provided above, or if the amount of such drawing is not fully refunded through a Base Rate Loan as provided above, the unreimbursed amount of such drawing shall bear interest at the rate which would be payable on any outstanding Base Rate Loans which were then overdue from the date such amounts become payable (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise and inclusive of any amounts under Section 4.1(b)) until paid in full and such interest shall be for the account of such Issuing Lender, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any L/C Participant pursuant to Section 3.4 or this Section 3.5 to reimburse such Issuing Lender for the amount of such drawing shall be for the account of such L/C Participant to the extent of such payment. Section 3.6 Obligations Absolute.. (a) The Borrower’s obligations under this Article III (including the Reimbursement Obligation) shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable under any and all circumstances whatsoever, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and irrespective of: (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit, any Letter of Credit Document or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein or herein; (ii) the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that the Borrower may have or have had against the applicable Issuing Lender or any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the applicable Issuing Lender or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction; (iii) the validity or genuineness of any drafts or other documents or of any endorsements thereon, even though such documents shall in fact prove to be invalid, fraudulent, forged or insufficient in any respect or any statement in such draft or other document being untrue
41 or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit; (iv) any payment by the applicable Issuing Lender under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or (v) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder. (b) The Borrower also agrees that none of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender, the L/C Participants, any other Lender or any of their respective Related Parties shall be responsible for, and the Borrower’s Reimbursement Obligation under Section 3.5 shall not be affected by, among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of any endorsements thereon, even though such documents shall in fact prove to be invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or among the Borrower and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any other party to which such Letter of Credit may be transferred or any claims whatsoever of the Borrower against any beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or any such transferee. None of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender, the L/C Participants or any other Lender or any of their respective Related Parties shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit, or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding clause (a)), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, document, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms, any error in translation or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the applicable Issuing Lender; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse an Issuing Lender from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by Applicable Law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Lender’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the applicable Issuing Lender (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuing Lender shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender, any L/C Participant, any other Lender or any of their respective Related Parties shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of (x) any presentation that includes forged or fraudulent documents or that is otherwise affected by the fraudulent, bad faith or illegal conduct of the beneficiary or other Person, (y) an Issuing Lender declining to take up documents and make payment (A) against documents that are fraudulent, forged or for other reasons by which it is entitled not to honor or (B) following the Borrower’s waiver of discrepancies with respect to such documents or request for honor of such documents or (z) an Issuing Lender’s retaining proceeds of a Letter of Credit based on an apparently applicable attachment order, blocking regulation or third-party claim notified to such Issuing Lender. (c) In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that (i) with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Lender may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents (even if not in strict compliance with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit) without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary and without regard to any non-documentary condition in such Letter of Credit, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the
42 terms of such Letter of Credit, (ii) an Issuing Lender may act upon any instruction or request relative to a Letter of Credit or requested Letter of Credit that such Issuing Lender in good faith believes to have been given by a Person authorized to give such instruction or request and (iii) an Issuing Lender may replace a purportedly lost, stolen, or destroyed original Letter of Credit or missing amendment thereto with a certified true copy marked as such or waive a requirement for its presentation. The responsibility of any Issuing Lender to the Borrower in connection with any draft presented for payment under any Letter of Credit issued by it shall, in addition to any payment obligation expressly provided for in such Letter of Credit, be limited to determining that the documents (including each draft) delivered under such Letter of Credit in connection with such presentment substantially conforms to the requirements under such Letter of Credit. (d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Issuing Lender shall be responsible to the Borrower for, and such Issuing Lender’s rights and remedies against the Borrower shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of such Issuing Lender required or permitted under any law, order, or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, including the Applicable Laws or any order of a jurisdiction in which such Issuing Lender or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements or official commentary of the International Chamber of Commerce Banking Commission, the Banker’s Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT) or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such laws or practice rules. (e) This Section 3.6 shall establish the standard of care to be exercised by an Issuing Lender when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof (and the parties hereto hereby waive, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, any standard of care stricter than the foregoing). Each Issuing Lender shall have all of the benefits and immunities (but not the obligations) (i) provided to the Administrative Agent in Article XI with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by such Issuing Lender in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and the Letter of Credit Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Administrative Agent” as used in Article XI included such Issuing Lender with respect to such acts or omissions and (ii) as additionally provided herein with respect to such Issuing Lender. Section 3.7 Effect of Letter of Credit Documents.. To the extent that any provision of any Letter of Credit Document related to any Letter of Credit is inconsistent with the provisions of this Article III or any other provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement (including this Article III) shall apply. Section 3.8 Resignation of Issuing Lenders.. (a) Any Issuing Lender may resign at any time by giving thirty (30) days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower. A resigning Issuing Lender shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit or to extend, renew or increase any outstanding Letters of Credit issued by it. (b) Any resigning Issuing Lender shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of an Issuing Lender hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit issued by it that are outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as an Issuing Lender and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Revolving Credit Lenders to take such actions as are required under Section 3.4). Without limiting the foregoing, upon the resignation of a Lender as an Issuing Lender hereunder, the Borrower may, or at the request of such resigned Issuing Lender the Borrower shall, use commercially reasonable efforts to, arrange for one or more of the other Issuing Lenders to issue Letters of Credit hereunder in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, issued by such resigned Issuing Lender and outstanding at the time of such resignation, or make other arrangements satisfactory to the resigned Issuing
43 Lender to effectively cause another Issuing Lender to assume the obligations of the resigned Issuing Lender with respect to any such Letters of Credit. Section 3.9 Reporting of Letter of Credit Information and L/C Commitment.. At any time that there is an Issuing Lender that is not also the financial institution acting as Administrative Agent, then (a) no later than the fifth Business Day following the last day of each calendar month, (b) on each date that a Letter of Credit is amended, terminated or otherwise expires, (c) on each date that a Letter of Credit is issued or the expiry date of a Letter of Credit is extended, and (d) upon the request of the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Lender (or, in the case of clauses (b), (c) or (d) of this Section, the applicable Issuing Lender) shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a report setting forth in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent information (including any reimbursement, Cash Collateral, or termination in respect of Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender) with respect to each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender that is outstanding hereunder. In addition, each Issuing Lender shall provide notice to the Administrative Agent of its L/C Commitment, or any change thereto, promptly upon it becoming an Issuing Lender or making any change to its L/C Commitment. No failure on the part of any Issuing Lender to provide such information pursuant to this Section 3.9 shall limit the obligations of the Borrower or any Revolving Credit Lender hereunder with respect to its reimbursement and participation obligations hereunder. Section 3.10 Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries.. Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, or states that a Subsidiary is the “account party,” “applicant,” “customer,” “instructing party,” or the like of or for such Letter of Credit, and without derogating from any rights of the applicable Issuing Lender (whether arising by contract, at law, in equity or otherwise) against such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit, the Borrower (a) shall be obligated as a primary obligor to reimburse, or to cause the applicable Subsidiary to reimburse, the applicable Issuing Lender hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit as if such Letter of Credit had been issued solely for the account of the Borrower and (b) irrevocably waives any and all defenses that might otherwise be available to it as a guarantor or surety of any or all of the obligations of such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of any of its Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries. To the extent that any Letter of Credit is issued for the account of any Subsidiary of the Borrower, the Borrower agrees that (i) such Subsidiary shall have no rights against any Issuing Lender, the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any of their respective Related Parties, (ii) the Borrower shall be responsible for the obligations in respect of such Letter of Credit under this Agreement, any Letter of Credit Documents and any application or reimbursement agreement with respect to such Letter of Credit, (iii) the Borrower shall have the sole right to give instructions and make agreements with respect to this Agreement, such Letter of Credit and any Letter of Credit Documents pertaining thereto and the disposition of any documents related thereto and (iv) the Borrower shall have all powers and rights in respect of any security arising in connection with such Letter of Credit and the transactions related thereto. The Borrower shall, at the request of the Issuing Lender, cause such Subsidiary to execute and deliver an agreement confirming the terms specified in the immediately preceding sentence and acknowledging that it is bound thereby. Section 3.11 Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to mean the maximum face amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all increases thereof contemplated by such Letter of Credit or the Letter of Credit Documents therefor (at the time specified therefor in such applicable Letter of Credit or Letter of Credit Documents and as such amount may be reduced by (a) any permanent reduction of such Letter of Credit or (b) any amount which is drawn, reimbursed and no longer available under such Letter of Credit). Section 3.12 Cash Collateral for Extended Letters of Credit..
44 (a) Cash Collateralization. The Borrower shall provide Cash Collateral to each applicable Issuing Lender with respect to each Extended Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender (in an amount equal to 105% of the maximum face amount) of each Extended Letter of Credit, calculated in accordance with Section 3.11 by a date that is no later than ninety-five (95) days prior to the Stated Revolving Credit Maturity Date by depositing such amount in immediately available funds, in Dollars, into a cash collateral account maintained at the applicable Issuing Lender and shall enter into a cash collateral agreement in form and substance satisfactory to such Issuing Lender and such other documentation as such Issuing Lender or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request; provided that if the Borrower fails to provide Cash Collateral with respect to any such Extended Letter of Credit by such time, such event shall be treated as a drawing under such Extended Letter of Credit in an amount equal to 105% of the maximum face amount of each such Letter of Credit, calculated in accordance with Section 3.11, which shall be reimbursed (or participations therein funded) in accordance with this Article III, with the proceeds of Revolving Credit Loans (or funded participations) being utilized to provide Cash Collateral for such Letter of Credit (provided that for purposes of determining the usage of the Commitment, the portion of any Extended Letter of Credit that has been, or will concurrently be, Cash Collateralized with proceeds of a Revolving Credit Loan, will not be deemed to be utilization of the Commitment). (b) Grant of Security Interest. The Borrower, and to the extent provided by the L/C Participants, each of such L/C Participants, hereby grants to the applicable Issuing Lender of each Extended Letter of Credit, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in, all Cash Collateral required to be provided by this Section 3.12 as security for such Issuing Lender’s obligation to fund draws under such Extended Letters of Credit, to be applied pursuant to subsection (c) below. If at any time the applicable Issuing Lender determines that the Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than such Issuing Lender as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the amount required pursuant to subsection (a) above, the Borrower will, promptly upon demand by such Issuing Lender, pay or provide to such Issuing Lender additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency. (c) Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, Cash Collateral provided under this Section 3.12 in respect of Extended Letters of Credit shall be applied to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender for all drawings made under such Extended Letters of Credit and any and all fees, expenses and charges incurred in connection therewith, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein. (d) Cash Collateralized Letters of Credit. Subject to clause (e) below, if the Borrower has fully Cash Collateralized the applicable Issuing Lender with respect to any Extended Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender in accordance with subsections (a) through (c) above and the Borrower and the applicable Issuing Lender have made arrangements between them with respect to the pricing and fees associated therewith (each such Extended Letter of Credit, a “Cash Collateralized Letter of Credit”), then the applicable Issuing Lender shall provide notice to the Administrative Agent within five (5) days of such Cash Collateralization. After the date of notice to the Administrative Agent and for so long as such Cash Collateral remains in place (i) such Cash Collateralized Letter of Credit shall cease to be a “Letter of Credit” hereunder, (ii) such Cash Collateralized Letter of Credit shall not constitute utilization of the Commitment, (iii) no Revolving Credit Lender shall have any further obligation to fund participations or Revolving Credit Loans to reimburse any drawing under any such Cash Collateralized Letter of Credit, (iv) no Letter of Credit commissions under Section 3.3(a) shall be due or payable to the Revolving Credit Lenders, or any of them, hereunder with respect to such Cash Collateralized Letter of Credit, and (v) any fronting fee, issuance fee or other fee with respect to such Cash Collateralized Letter of Credit shall be as agreed separately between the Borrower and such Issuing Lender.
45 (e) Reinstatement. The Borrower and each Revolving Credit Lender agree that, if any payment or deposit made by the Borrower or any other Person applied to the Cash Collateral required under this Section 3.12 is at any time avoided, annulled, set aside, rescinded, invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential or otherwise required to be refunded or repaid, or is repaid in whole or in part pursuant to a good faith settlement of a pending or threatened avoidance claim, or the proceeds of any such Cash Collateral are required to be refunded by the applicable Issuing Lender to the Borrower or any Revolving Credit Lender or its respective estate, trustee, receiver or any other Person, under any Applicable Law or equitable cause, then, to the extent of such payment or repayment, (i) the applicable Extended Letter of Credit shall automatically be a “Letter of Credit” hereunder in a face amount equal to such payment or repayment amount (each such Letter of Credit, a “Reinstated Letter of Credit”), (ii) such Reinstated Letter of Credit shall no longer be deemed to be Cash Collateralized hereunder and shall constitute a utilization of the Commitment, (iii) each Revolving Credit Lender shall be obligated to fund participations or Revolving Credit Loans to reimburse any drawing under such Reinstated Letter of Credit, (iv) Letter of Credit commissions under Section 3.3(a) shall accrue and be due and payable to the Revolving Credit Lenders with respect to such Reinstated Letter of Credit and (v) the provisions of this Article III and all other rights and duties of the applicable Issuing Lender, the Revolving Credit Lenders, the L/C Participants and the Borrower with respect to such Reinstated Letter of Credit shall be reinstated in full force and effect. (f) Survival. With respect to any Extended Letter of Credit, each party’s obligations under this Article III and all other rights and duties of the applicable Issuing Lender of such Extended Letter of Credit, the L/C Participants and the Borrower with respect to such Extended Letter of Credit shall survive the resignation or replacement of the applicable Issuing Lender or any assignment of rights by the applicable Issuing Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of the Obligations. ARTICLE IV GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS Section 4.1 Interest. (a) Interest Rate Options. Subject to the provisions of this Section, at the election of the Borrower, (i) Revolving Credit Loans shall bear interest at (A) the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin or (B) Term SOFR plus the Applicable Margin (provided that Term SOFR shall not be available until three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days after the Closing Date unless the applicable Notice of Borrowing includes an agreement by the Borrower to indemnify the Lenders in the manner set forth in Section 4.8(a) of this Agreement) and (ii) any Swingline Loan shall bear interest at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin. The Borrower shall select the rate of interest and Interest Period, if any, applicable to any Loan at the time a Notice of Borrowing is given or at the time a Notice of Conversion/Continuation is given pursuant to Section 4.2. (b) Default Rate. Subject to Section 9.3, (i) immediately upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default under Section 9.1(a), (b), (g) or (h), or (ii) at the election of the Required Lenders (or the Administrative Agent at the direction of the Required Lenders), upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any other Event of Default (A) the Borrower shall no longer have the option to request Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans, or request or continue SOFR Loans or convert Base Rate Loans into SOFR Loans, (B) all outstanding SOFR Loans shall bear interest at a rate per annum of two percent (2%) in excess of the rate (including the Applicable Margin) then applicable to SOFR Loans until the end of the applicable Interest Period and thereafter at a rate per annum of two percent (2%) in excess of the rate (including the Applicable Margin) then applicable to Base Rate Loans, and (C) all outstanding Base Rate Loans, Swingline Loans and other Obligations arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document
46 shall bear interest at a rate per annum of two percent (2%) in excess of the rate (including the Applicable Margin) then applicable to Base Rate Loans or such other Obligations arising hereunder and (D) all accrued and unpaid interest shall be due and payable on demand of the Administrative Agent. Interest shall continue to accrue on the Obligations after the filing by or against the Borrower of any petition seeking any relief in bankruptcy or under any Debtor Relief Law. (c) Interest Payment and Computation. Interest on each Base Rate Loan and Swingline Loans shall be due and payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter commencing December 31, 2025; and interest on each SOFR Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto, and if such Interest Period extends over three (3) months, at the end of each three (3) month interval during such Interest Period; provided that (i) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any SOFR Loan, accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (ii) in the event of any conversion of any SOFR Loan prior to the end of the Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion. All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest provided hereunder shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365/366- day year). (d) Maximum Rate. (i) In no contingency or event whatsoever shall the aggregate of all amounts deemed interest under this Agreement charged or collected pursuant to the terms of this Agreement exceed the highest rate permissible under any Applicable Law which a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem applicable hereto. In the event that such a court determines that the Lenders have charged or received interest hereunder in excess of the highest applicable rate, the rate in effect hereunder shall automatically be reduced to the maximum rate permitted by Applicable Law and the Lenders shall at the Administrative Agent’s option (i) promptly refund to the Borrower any interest received by the Lenders in excess of the maximum lawful rate or (ii) apply such excess to the principal balance of the Obligations. It is the intent hereof that the Borrower not pay or contract to pay, and that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender receive or contract to receive, directly or indirectly in any manner whatsoever, interest in excess of that which may be paid by the Borrower under Applicable Law. (ii) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 4.1 to the contrary, interest with respect to Base Rate Loans when determined by reference to the Base Rate shall not in any event exceed an annual rate equal to the sum of the prime rate as then published by the Administrative Agent plus 450 basis points. This paragraph (ii) shall be of no force and effect if such limitation is no longer mandated by any then-effective Authorizing Order. (e) Term SOFR Conforming Changes. In connection with the use or administration of Term SOFR, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use or administration of Term SOFR. Section 4.2 Notice and Manner of Conversion or Continuation of Loans. The Borrower shall have the option to (a) provided that no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, convert at any
47 time following the third U.S. Government Securities Business Day after the Closing Date (or earlier if acceptable to the Administrative Agent) all or any portion of any outstanding Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans) in a principal amount equal to $1,000,000 or any whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof (or such lesser amount as shall represent all of the Base Rate Loans then outstanding) into one or more SOFR Loans and (b) upon the expiration of any Interest Period, (i) convert all or any part of its outstanding SOFR Loans in a principal amount equal to $250,000 or a whole multiple of $50,000 in excess thereof into Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans) or (ii) provided that no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, continue such SOFR Loans as SOFR Loans. Whenever the Borrower desires to convert or continue Loans as provided above, the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable prior written notice in the form attached as Exhibit D (a “Notice of Conversion/Continuation”) not later than 12:00 p.m. on the day on which a proposed conversion or continuation of such Loan is to be effective (with respect to a continuation of, or conversion to, Base Rate Loans) and 12:00 p.m. three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days before the day on which a proposed conversion or continuation of such Loan is to be effective (with respect to a continuation of, or conversion to, SOFR Loans) specifying (A) the Loans to be converted or continued, and, in the case of any SOFR Loan to be converted or continued, the last day of the Interest Period therefor, (B) the effective date of such conversion or continuation (which shall be a Business Day), (C) the principal amount of such Loans to be converted or continued, and (D) the Interest Period to be applicable to such converted or continued SOFR Loan. If the Borrower fails to give a timely Notice of Conversion/Continuation prior to the end of the Interest Period for any SOFR Loan, then the applicable SOFR Loan shall be automatically converted to a Base Rate Loan. Any such automatic conversion to a Base Rate Loan shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable SOFR Loan. If the Borrower requests a conversion to, or continuation of, a SOFR Loan, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Swingline Loan may not be converted to a SOFR Loan and shall always be maintained as a Base Rate Loan. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the affected Lenders of such Notice of Conversion/Continuation. Section 4.3 Fees. (a) Facility Fee. Commencing on the Closing Date, subject to Section 4.15(a)(iii)(A), the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders, a non- refundable facility fee (the “Facility Fee”) at a rate per annum equal to the then-applicable Facility Fee Rate on the Commitment, regardless of usage. The Facility Fee shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter during the term of this Agreement commencing December 31, 2025, and ending on the date upon which all Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due) arising under the Revolving Credit Facility shall have been indefeasibly and irrevocably paid and satisfied in full, all Letters of Credit have been terminated or expired (or been Cash Collateralized) and the Commitment has been terminated. The Facility Fee shall be distributed by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Credit Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Revolving Credit Lenders’ respective Commitment Percentages. (b) Other Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in their Fee Letters. The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing by the Borrower in the amounts and at the times so specified. Section 4.4 Manner of Payment. Each payment by the Borrower on account of the principal of or interest on the Loans or of any fee, commission or other amounts (including the Reimbursement Obligation) payable to the Lenders under this Agreement shall be made not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified for payment under this Agreement (unless such obligation to make such payment did not arise until after 12:00 p.m. on such date, in which case such payment shall be required to be made by 2:00 p.m.
48 on the immediately succeeding Business Day) to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office for the account of the Lenders entitled to such payment in Dollars, in immediately available funds and shall be made without any setoff, counterclaim or deduction whatsoever. Any payment received after such time on such day shall be deemed a payment on such date for the purposes of Section 9.1, but for all other purposes shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day. Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of each such payment, the Administrative Agent shall distribute to each such Lender at its address for notices set forth herein its Commitment Percentage in respect of the relevant Credit Facility (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment and shall wire advice of the amount of such credit to each Lender. Each payment to the Administrative Agent on account of the principal of or interest on the Swingline Loans or of any fee, commission or other amounts payable to the Swingline Lender shall be made in like manner, but for the account of the Swingline Lender. Each payment to the Administrative Agent of any Issuing Lender’s fees or L/C Participants’ commissions shall be made in like manner, but for the account of such Issuing Lender or the L/C Participants, as the case may be. Each payment to the Administrative Agent of Administrative Agent’s fees or expenses shall be made for the account of the Administrative Agent and any amount payable to any Lender under Sections 4.8(a), 4.10, 4.11 or 11.3 shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lender. Subject to the definition of “Interest Period,” if any payment under this Agreement shall be specified to be made upon a day which is not a Business Day, it shall be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day and such extension of time shall in such case be included in computing any interest if payable along with such payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if there exists a Defaulting Lender each payment by the Borrower to such Defaulting Lender hereunder shall be applied in accordance with Section 4.15(a)(ii). Section 4.5 Evidence of Indebtedness. (a) Extensions of Credit. The Extensions of Credit made by each Lender and each Issuing Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender or such Issuing Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender or the applicable Issuing Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Extensions of Credit made by the Lenders or such Issuing Lender to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender or any Issuing Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Revolving Credit Note and/or Swingline Note, as applicable, which shall evidence such Lender’s Revolving Credit Loans and/or Swingline Loans, as applicable, in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Notes and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto. (b) Participations. In addition to the accounts and records referred to in subsection (a), each Revolving Credit Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Revolving Credit Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Revolving Credit Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Section 4.6 Sharing of Payments by Lenders. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its
49 Loans or other obligations hereunder resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon or other such obligations (other than pursuant to Sections 4.8(a), 4.10, 4.11 or 11.3) greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and such other obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them; provided that: (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender), (B) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 3.12Section 3.12 or Section 4.14 or (C) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of, or sale of, a participation in any of its Loans or participations in Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under Applicable Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation. Section 4.7 Administrative Agent’s Clawback. (a) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. In connection with any borrowing hereunder, the Administrative Agent may assume that each Lender has made its respective share of such borrowing available on such date in accordance with Section 2.3(b), and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the Overnight Rate and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent. (b) Payments by the Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders or the Swingline Lender hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon
50 such assumption, distribute to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders or the Swingline Lender, as the case maybe, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender, Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender, with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the Overnight Rate. (c) Nature of Obligations of Lenders. The obligations of the Lenders under this Agreement to make the Loans, to issue or participate in Letters of Credit and to make payments under this Section, Section 4.11(e), Section 11.3(c) or Section 11.7, as applicable, are several and are not joint or joint and several. The failure of any Lender to make available its Commitment Percentage of any Loan requested by the Borrower shall not relieve it or any other Lender of its obligation, if any, hereunder to make its Commitment Percentage of such Loan available on the borrowing date, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make its Commitment Percentage of such Loan available on the borrowing date. Section 4.8 Changed Circumstances. (a) Circumstances Affecting Benchmark Availability. Subject to clause (c) below, in connection with any request for a SOFR Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof or otherwise, if for any reason (i) the Administrative Agent shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that reasonable and adequate means do not exist for ascertaining Term SOFR for the applicable Interest Period with respect to a proposed SOFR Loan on or prior to the first day of such Interest Period or (ii) the Required Lenders shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that Term SOFR does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining such Loans during such Interest Period and, in the case of clause (ii), the Required Lenders have provided notice of such determination to the Administrative Agent, then, in each case, the Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to the Borrower. Upon notice thereof by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, any obligation of the Lenders to make SOFR Loans, and any right of the Borrower to convert any Loan to or continue any Loan as a SOFR Loan, shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected SOFR Loans or the affected Interest Periods) until the Administrative Agent (with respect to clause (ii), at the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, (A) the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of SOFR Loans (to the extent of the affected SOFR Loans or the affected Interest Periods) or, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein and (B) any outstanding affected SOFR Loans will be deemed to have been converted into Base Rate Loans at the end of the applicable Interest Period. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 4.9. (b) Laws Affecting SOFR Availability. If, after the date hereof, the introduction of, or any change in, any Applicable Law or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Lending Offices) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency, shall make it unlawful or impossible for any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Lending Offices) to honor its obligations hereunder to make or maintain any SOFR Loan, or to determine or charge interest based upon SOFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate or Term SOFR, such Lender shall promptly give notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice to the Borrower and the other Lenders (an “Illegality Notice”). Thereafter, until each affected Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist, (i) any obligation of the Lenders to
51 make SOFR Loans, and any right of the Borrower to convert any Loan to a SOFR Loan or continue any Loan as a SOFR Loan, shall be suspended and (ii) if necessary to avoid such illegality, the Administrative Agent shall compute the Base Rate without reference to clause (c) of the definition of “Base Rate”. Upon receipt of an Illegality Notice, the Borrower shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, upon demand from any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all SOFR Loans to Base Rate Loans (in each case, if necessary to avoid such illegality, the Administrative Agent shall compute the Base Rate without reference to clause (c) of the definition of “Base Rate”), on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if all affected Lenders may lawfully continue to maintain such SOFR Loans to such day, or immediately, if any Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such SOFR Loans to such day. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 4.9. (c) Effect of Benchmark Transition Event. (i) Benchmark Replacement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace the then-current Benchmark with a Benchmark Replacement. Any such amendment with respect to a Benchmark Transition Event will become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the Administrative Agent has posted such proposed amendment to all affected Lenders and the Borrower so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such amendment from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders. No replacement of a Benchmark with a Benchmark Replacement pursuant to this Section 4.8(c)(i) will occur prior to the applicable Benchmark Transition Start Date. (ii) Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document. (iii) Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (A) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (B) the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, (C) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to Section 4.8(c)(iii), and (D) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of or Lenders) pursuant to this Section 4.8(c), including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 4.8(c). (iv) Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (A) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Reference Rate) and either (1) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as
52 selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (2) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is not or will not be representative, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (B) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (A) above either (1) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (2) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is not or will not be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor. (v) Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, (A) the Borrower may revoke any pending request for the making of, conversion to or continuation of SOFR Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans and (B) any outstanding affected SOFR Loans will be deemed to have been converted to Base Rate Loans at the end of the applicable Interest Period. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of the Base Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of the Base Rate. Section 4.9 Indemnity. The Borrower hereby indemnifies each of the Lenders against any loss, cost or expense (including any loss, cost or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds or from any fees payable) which may arise, be attributable to or result due to or as a consequence of (a) any failure by the Borrower to make any payment when due of any amount due hereunder in connection with a SOFR Loan, (b) any failure of the Borrower to borrow or continue a SOFR Loan or convert to a SOFR Loan on a date specified therefor in a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation, (c) any failure of the Borrower to prepay any SOFR Loan on a date specified therefor in any Notice of Prepayment (regardless of whether any such Notice of Prepayment may be revoked under Section 2.4(c) and is revoked in accordance therewith), (d) any payment, prepayment or conversion of any SOFR Loan on a date other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor (including as a result of an Event of Default) or (e) the assignment of any SOFR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 4.12(b). A certificate of such Lender setting forth the basis for determining such amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender shall be forwarded to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent and shall be conclusively presumed to be correct save for manifest error. All of the obligations of the Borrower under this Section 4.9 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document. Section 4.10 Increased Costs. (a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall: (i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve (including pursuant to regulations issued from time to time by the FRB for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency special, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency liabilities” in Regulation D of the
53 FRB, as amended and in effect from time to time)), special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or advances, loans or other credit extended or participated in by, any Lender or any Issuing Lender; (ii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of “Excluded Taxes” and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or (iii) impose on any Lender or any Issuing Lender or any applicable interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Recipient of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, such Issuing Lender or such other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon written request of such Recipient, the Borrower shall promptly pay to any such Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, such Issuing Lender or other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered. (b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender or any Issuing Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or such Issuing Lender or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitment of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Lender or such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time upon written request of such Lender or such Issuing Lender the Borrower shall promptly pay to such Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Lender or such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered. (c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender, or an Issuing Lender or such other Recipient setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such Issuing Lender, such other Recipient or any of their respective holding companies, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to the Borrower, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or such Issuing Lender or such other Recipient, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) Business Days after receipt thereof. (d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Recipient to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Recipient’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate any Recipient pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than three (3) months prior to the date that such Recipient, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions, and of such Recipient’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that
54 if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the three-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof). (e) Survival. All of the obligations of the Borrower under this Section 4.10 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document. Section 4.11 Taxes. (a) Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section 4.11, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Lender and the term “Applicable Law” includes FATCA. (b) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by Applicable Law. If any Applicable Law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that, after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section), the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made. (c) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. The Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes. (d) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify each Recipient, within ten (10) Business Days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Recipient (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Recipient, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. (e) Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 11.8(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to setoff and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to
55 such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e). (f) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 4.11, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. (g) Status of Lenders. (i) Each Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, each Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 4.11(g)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender. (ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing: (A) Any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), duly completed, valid and executed copies of IRS Form W-9 (or any successor form) certifying that such Lender is exempt from United States federal backup withholding tax; (B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable: (1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, duly completed, valid and executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or any successor thereto) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, United States federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, duly completed, valid and executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or any successor
56 thereto) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, United States federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty; (2) duly completed, valid and executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI (or any successor thereto) certifying that the payments received by such Lender are effectively connected with such Lender’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States; (3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) duly completed, valid and executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or any successor thereto); or (4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, duly completed, valid and executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY (or any successor thereto), accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2 or Exhibit G-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner; (C) each Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by Applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States federal withholding Tax, duly completed, valid and executed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by Applicable Law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and (D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to United States federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by Applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA
57 and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement. Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so. (h) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 4.11 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 4.11), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (h) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (h), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (h) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person. (i) Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 4.11 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document. Section 4.12 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 4.10, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 4.11, then such Lender shall, at the request of the Borrower, use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans and its participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.11, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment. (b) Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 4.10, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 4.11, and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different Lending Office in accordance with Section 4.12(a),
58 or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or a Non-Consenting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, (and in the case of a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent may) upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 11.8), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.11) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that: (i) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 11.8; (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and funded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 4.8(a)) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts); (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 4.10 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 4.11, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; (iv) such assignment does not conflict with Applicable Law; and (v) in the case of any assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a Non-Consenting Lender, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Each party hereto agrees that (x) an assignment required pursuant to this Section 4.12 may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the assignee and (y) the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto in order for such assignment to be effective and shall be deemed to have consented to and be bound by the terms thereof; provided that, following the effectiveness of any such assignment, the other parties to such assignment agree to execute and deliver such documents necessary to evidence such assignment as reasonably requested by the applicable Lender or the Administrative Agent, provided, further that any such documents shall be without recourse to or warranty by the parties thereto. (c) Selection of Lending Office. Subject to Section 4.12(a), each Lender may make any Loan and may book its participations in L/C Obligations, and each Issuing Lender may book its Letters of Credit, through any Lending Office, provided that the exercise of this option shall not affect the obligations of the Borrower to repay the Loan, its L/C Obligations or any other Obligation in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or otherwise alter the rights of the parties hereto.
59 Section 4.13 Increases in Commitments. (a) At any time, the Borrower may by written notice to the Administrative Agent request one or more increases in the Commitments (any such increase, an “Incremental Commitment”) to make additional revolving credit loans under the Revolving Credit Facility; provided that (1) the total aggregate initial principal amount (as of the date of incurrence thereof) of all such requested Incremental Commitments shall not exceed $50,000,000 and (2) the total aggregate amount for each Incremental Commitment shall not be less than a minimum principal amount of $5,000,000 or, if less, the remaining amount permitted pursuant to the foregoing clause (1). Each such notice shall specify the date (each, an “Increased Amount Date”) on which the Borrower proposes that any Incremental Commitment shall be effective, which shall be a date not less than twenty (20) Business Days after the date on which such notice is delivered to Administrative Agent (or such other date as may be approved by the Administrative Agent). The Borrower may invite any Eligible Assignee to provide an Incremental Commitment (any such Person, an “Incremental Lender”); provided, that no Lender shall be obligated to provide any portion of the Incremental Commitments. Any proposed Incremental Lender offered or approached to provide all or a portion of any Incremental Commitment may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide such Incremental Commitment or any portion thereof. Any Incremental Commitment shall become effective as of such Increased Amount Date; provided that each of the following conditions has been satisfied or waived as of such Increased Amount Date: (i) no Default or Event of Default shall exist on such Increased Amount Date immediately prior to or after giving effect to (1) any Incremental Commitment and (2) the making of any Extensions of Credit made on the Increased Amount Date pursuant thereto and the proposed use of proceeds thereof; (ii) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received from the Borrower an Officer’s Compliance Certificate demonstrating that the Borrower is in compliance with the financial covenant set forth in Section 8.9 based on the financial statements most recently delivered pursuant to Section 7.1, both immediately before and immediately after giving effect (on a pro forma basis) to any Incremental Commitment (with any Incremental Commitment being deemed to be fully funded); (iii) each of the representations and warranties contained in Article VI shall be true and correct in all material respects, except to the extent any such representation and warranty is qualified by materiality or reference to Material Adverse Effect, in which case, such representation and warranty shall be true, correct and complete in all respects, on such Increased Amount Date with the same effect as if made on and as of such date (except for any such representation and warranty that by its terms is made only as of an earlier date, which representation and warranty shall remain true and correct as of such earlier date); (iv) each Incremental Commitment shall constitute Obligations of the Borrower; (v) all of the terms and conditions applicable to each Incremental Commitment shall be identical to the terms and conditions applicable to the Revolving Credit Facility. (vi) such Incremental Commitment shall be effected pursuant to one or more Lender Joinder Agreements executed and delivered by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the applicable Incremental Lenders (which Lender Joinder Agreement may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section 4.13); and
60 (vii) the Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered any customary legal opinions or other documents authorizing such Incremental Commitment as may be reasonably requested by Administrative Agent in connection with any such transaction to the extent substantially similar documentation was delivered on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 5.1. (b) The Incremental Lenders shall be included in any determination of the Required Lenders, as applicable, and, unless otherwise agreed, the Incremental Lenders will not constitute a separate voting class for any purposes under this Agreement. (c) On any Increased Amount Date on which any Incremental Commitment becomes effective, subject to the foregoing terms and conditions, each Incremental Lender with an Incremental Commitment shall become a Revolving Credit Lender hereunder with respect to such Incremental Commitment. Section 4.14 Cash Collateral. At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, within one Business Day following the written request of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) or the Swingline Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the Fronting Exposure of such Issuing Lender and/or the Swingline Lender, as applicable, with respect to such Defaulting Lender (determined after giving effect to Section 4.15(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by such Defaulting Lender) in an amount not less than the Minimum Collateral Amount. (a) Grant of Security Interest. The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of each Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such Cash Collateral as security for the Defaulting Lender’s obligation to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans, to be applied pursuant to subsection (b) below. If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender as herein provided or customary rights of claims for the applicable depository bank with which such Cash Collateral is held, or the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, the Borrower will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency (after giving effect to any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender). (b) Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, Cash Collateral provided under this Section 4.14 or Section 4.15 in respect of Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans shall be applied to the satisfaction of the Defaulting Lender’s obligation to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein. (c) Termination of Requirement. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce the Fronting Exposure of any Issuing Lender and/or the Swingline Lender, as applicable, shall no longer be required to be held as Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 3.12 or this Section 4.14 and the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender agree to provide the Borrower with, or permit the Borrower to withdraw, such Cash Collateral within five (5) Business Days, in each case following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender), or (ii) the determination by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders and the Swingline Lender (which such determination shall be made within three (3) Business Days after written request by the Borrower) that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided that, subject to Section 4.15, the Person providing Cash Collateral, the Issuing Lenders and the Swingline Lender
61 may agree that Cash Collateral shall be held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations. Section 4.15 Defaulting Lenders. (a) Defaulting Lender Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law: (i) Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” and Section 11.2. (ii) Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article IX or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 11.4 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Issuing Lenders or the Swingline Lender hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize the Fronting Exposure of the Issuing Lenders and the Swingline Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 4.14; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan or funded participation in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (A) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans and funded participations under this Agreement and (B) Cash Collateralize the Issuing Lenders’ future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 4.14; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders or the Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, any Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (1) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or funded participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (2) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and funded participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or funded participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments under the applicable Revolving Credit Facility without giving effect to Section 4.15(a)(iv). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral
62 pursuant to this Section 4.15(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto. (iii) Certain Fees. (A) No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any Facility Fee for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender). (B) Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive letter of credit commissions pursuant to Section 3.3(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Commitment Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 4.14. (C) With respect to any Facility Fee or letter of credit commission not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, the Borrower shall (1) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations or Swingline Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (2) pay to each applicable Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such Issuing Lender’s or Swingline Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (3) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee. (iv) Reallocation of Participations to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) but only to the extent that such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Commitment. Subject to Section 11.20, no reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation. (v) Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swingline Loans. If the reallocation described in clause (iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under law, (x) first, repay Swingline Loans in an amount equal to the Swingline Lenders’ Fronting Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the Issuing Lenders’ Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 4.14. (b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders and the Swingline Lender agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), such Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline
63 Loans to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with the Commitments under the applicable Credit Facility (without giving effect to Section 4.15(a)(iv)), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued, fees not paid pursuant to Section 4.15(a) or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. ARTICLE V CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND BORROWING Section 5.1 Conditions to Closing and Initial Extensions of Credit. The obligation of the Lenders to close this Agreement and to make the initial Loans or issue or participate in the initial Letters of Credit, if any, is subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions: (a) Executed Loan Documents. This Agreement, a Revolving Credit Note in favor of each Revolving Credit Lender and a Swingline Note in favor of the Swingline Lender (in each case, if requested thereby), shall have been executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent by the parties thereto. (b) Closing Certificates; Etc. The Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent: (i) Officer’s Certificate. A certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to the effect that (A) all representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true, correct and complete; (B) the Borrower is not in violation of any of the covenants contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (C) after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; (D) since December 31, 2024, no event has occurred or condition arisen, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (E) the Borrower has satisfied each of the conditions set forth in Section 5.1 and Section 5.2; and (F) no action, suit, investigation or proceeding is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in any court or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. (ii) Certificate of Secretary of the Borrower. A certificate of the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Borrower certifying as to the incumbency and genuineness of the signature of each officer of the Borrower executing Loan Documents to which it is a party and certifying that attached thereto is a true, correct and complete copy of (A) the articles of incorporation of the Borrower and all amendments thereto, certified as of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authority in its jurisdiction of incorporation, (B) the bylaws of the Borrower as in effect on the Closing Date, (C) all Authorizing Orders, (D) resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Borrower authorizing and approving the transactions contemplated hereunder and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (E) the certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(b)(iii). (iii) Certificate of Good Standing. A certificate of the good standing of the Borrower under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, dated not more than ten (10) days prior to the date on which the other conditions in this Section 5.1 are satisfied.
64 (iv) Opinions of Counsel. Opinions of Anthony D. Foti, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Borrower, and of Cohen Tauber Spievack & Wagner P.C., special counsel to the Borrower, each addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the Borrower, the Loan Documents and such other customary matters as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request (which such opinion shall expressly permit reliance by permitted successors and assigns of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders). (c) Payment at Closing. The Borrower shall have paid or made arrangements to pay contemporaneously with closing (i) to the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Lenders the fees set forth or referenced in Section 4.3 and any other accrued and unpaid fees or commissions due hereunder (which amounts may be offset against the proceeds of the Credit Facilities), (ii) to the extent required to be reimbursed pursuant to Section 11.3, all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of Sidley Austin LLP as counsel to the Administrative Agent (directly to such counsel if requested by the Administrative Agent) to the extent invoiced to the Borrower at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date and (iii) all accrued and unpaid fees and interest under the Existing Credit Agreement and all other amounts pursuant to Section 11.23. (d) Miscellaneous. (i) Notice of Account Designation. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Account Designation specifying the account or accounts to which the proceeds of any Loans made on or after the Closing Date are to be disbursed. (ii) PATRIOT Act, etc. (A) The Borrower shall have provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the documentation and other information requested by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in writing at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date in order to comply with requirements of any Anti-Money Laundering Laws, including the PATRIOT Act and any applicable “know your customer” rules and regulations. (B) The Borrower, to the extent it qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, shall have delivered to each Lender requesting the same at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to the Borrower, in each case delivered at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date. Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 10.3(c), for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 5.1, the Administrative Agent and each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto. Section 5.2 Conditions to All Extensions of Credit. The obligations of the Lenders to make or participate in any Extensions of Credit (including the initial Extension of Credit but excluding any conversion to or continuation of SOFR Loans) and/or any Issuing Lender to issue or extend any Letter of
65 Credit are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on the relevant borrowing, issuance or extension date: (a) Continuation of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct (except for any such representation and warranty that by its terms is made only as of an earlier date, which representation and warranty shall remain true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date). (b) No Existing Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) on the borrowing date with respect to such Loan or immediately after giving effect to the Loans to be made on such date and the proposed use of proceeds thereof or (ii) on the issuance or extension date with respect to such Letter of Credit or immediately after giving effect to the issuance or extension of such Letter of Credit on such date and the proposed use of such Letter of Credit. (c) Notices. The Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Lender shall have received a Notice of Borrowing or applicable Letter of Credit Documents, as applicable, from the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.3(a) or Section 3.2, as applicable. ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWER To induce the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make Extensions of Credit, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Lenders on the Closing Date and as otherwise set forth in Section 5.2, that: Section 6.1 Organization; Power; Qualification. The Borrower is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware, and is duly licensed or qualified to transact business in all jurisdictions where the character of the property owned or leased or the nature of the business transacted by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified (i) will not permanently preclude the Borrower from maintaining any material action in any such jurisdiction even though such action arose in whole or in part during the period of such failure, and (ii) will not result in any other Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower has all requisite power and authority, corporate or otherwise, to conduct its business, to own its properties and to execute and deliver, and to perform all of its obligations under, the Loan Documents. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof is an Affected Financial Institution or a Covered Party. Section 6.2 Authorization of Extensions of Credit; No Conflict as to Law or Agreements. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of the Loan Documents, and the borrowings from time to time hereunder, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and by all necessary public utilities commissions and any other regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over the Borrower (except as noted in Schedule 6.2 with respect to borrowings made after the Trigger Date), and do not and will not (i) require any consent or approval of the stockholders of the Borrower, or any authorization, consent or approval by any governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, other than Authorizing Orders set forth in Schedule 6.2 (except as noted therein with respect to borrowings made after the Trigger Date) that have been obtained and copies of which have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.1, (ii) violate any provision of any law, rule or regulation (including Regulation T, U or X of the FRB) or of any order, writ, injunction or decree presently in effect having applicability to the Borrower or of the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Borrower, (iii) result in a breach of or constitute a default under any indenture or loan or credit agreement or any other agreement, lease or instrument to which the Borrower is a party or by which it or its properties may be bound or
66 affected, or (iv) result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien or other charge or encumbrance of any nature (other than those in favor of the Administrative Agent to secure one or more of the Obligations) upon or with respect to any of the properties now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower. Section 6.3 Legal Agreements. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles. Section 6.4 Subsidiaries. Schedule 6.4 hereto is a complete and correct list of all present Subsidiaries and of the percentage of the ownership of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary in each case as of the date of this Agreement. Except as otherwise indicated in that Schedule, all shares of each Subsidiary owned by the Borrower or by any such other Subsidiary are validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable. Section 6.5 Financial Condition. The Borrower has furnished to the Lenders its audited consolidated financial statement as of December 31, 2024, and its unaudited interim financial statement as of September 30, 2025. Those financial statements fairly present the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the dates thereof and the results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, and were prepared in accordance with GAAP, except as expressly noted therein. Section 6.6 Adverse Change. There has been no material adverse change in the business, properties or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower since December 31, 2024. Section 6.7 Litigation. Except as set forth in MDU’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, or in any document subsequently filed pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower, any Subsidiary or the properties of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, before any court or governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, which, if determined adversely to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, would have a Material Adverse Effect. Section 6.8 Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Sanctions; and Outbound Investment Rules. (a) None of (i) the Borrower, any Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any of their respective directors, officers, employees or Affiliates, or (ii) any agent or representative of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the Credit Facility, (A) is a Sanctioned Person or currently the subject or target of any Sanctions, (B) has its assets located in a Sanctioned Country, (C) is under administrative, civil or criminal investigation for an alleged violation of, or received notice from or made a voluntary disclosure to any governmental entity regarding a possible violation of, Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws or Sanctions by a governmental authority that enforces Sanctions or any Anti-Corruption Laws or Anti-Money Laundering Laws, or (D) directly or indirectly derives revenues from investments in, or transactions with, Sanctioned Persons. (b) The Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to promote compliance by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates with all Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and applicable Sanctions.
67 (c) Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and to the knowledge of the Borrower, their directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates, is in compliance with all Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti- Money Laundering Laws in all respects and applicable Sanctions. (d) No proceeds of any Loan have, and no Letter of Credit has, been used, directly or indirectly, by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents in violation of Section 8.8. (e) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) is a “covered foreign person” as that term is used in the Outbound Investment Rules or (ii) currently engages, or has any present intention to engage in the future, directly or indirectly, in (A) a “covered activity” or a “covered transaction”, as each such term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, (B) any activity or transaction that would constitute a “covered activity” or a “covered transaction”, as each such term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, if the Borrower were a United States Person or (C) any other activity that would cause the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to be in violation of the Outbound Investment Rules or cause the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to be legally prohibited by the Outbound Investment Rules from performing under this Agreement. Section 6.9 Environmental Matters. The Borrower conducts in the ordinary course of business a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and existing Environmental Claims on its and its Subsidiaries’ business, operations and properties and, as a result thereof, the Borrower has reasonably concluded that such Environmental Laws and Environmental Claims could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, exclusive of Environmental Claims as set forth in MDU’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, or in any document subsequently filed pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Section 6.10 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act. The Borrower is not engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB). No part of the proceeds of any Extensions of Credit will be used directly or indirectly for any purpose that violates, or that would require any Lender to make any filings in accordance with, the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the FRB as now and from time to time hereafter in effect. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” (as each such term is defined or used in the Investment Company Act). Section 6.11 Compliance with Law; Governmental Approvals. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries (a) has all Governmental Approvals required by any Applicable Law for it to conduct its business, each of which is in full force and effect, is final and not subject to review on appeal and is not the subject of any pending or, to its knowledge, threatened challenge by direct or collateral proceeding, (b) is in compliance with each Governmental Approval applicable to it and in compliance with all other Applicable Laws relating to it or any of its respective properties and (c) has timely filed all material reports, documents and other materials required to be filed by it under all Applicable Laws with any Governmental Authority and has retained all material records and documents required to be retained by it under Applicable Law, except, in such instances in which (i) any such requirement is being contested in good faith or the subject of a bona fide dispute or (ii) the failure to so comply, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Section 6.12 Taxes. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has filed all federal and other tax returns and reports required to be filed by it, and has paid all federal and other taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or its respective properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP and except those for which
68 the failure to file or pay would not have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no proposed tax assessment against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect. Section 6.13 Titles and Liens. To the Borrower’s knowledge, without having undertaken any search of real property records for this purpose, the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has good and sufficient title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, and good title to all other property and assets reflected in the Borrower’s most recent consolidated financial statements provided to the Lenders as owned by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and other than any sold, as permitted by Section 8.4. As of the date of this Agreement, none of the property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any Liens other than as permitted pursuant to Section 8.1. Section 6.14 Intellectual Property. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries owns or is licensed or otherwise has the right to use all of the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, contractual franchises, authorizations and other rights that are reasonably necessary for the operation of its business, without conflict with the rights of any other Person, except to the extent that noncompliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, no slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries infringes upon any rights held by any other Person, except to the extent that noncompliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or threatened, and no patent, invention, device, application, principle or any statute, law, rule, regulation, standard or code is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, proposed, which, in either case, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Section 6.15 Employee Benefit Matters. Each of the Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and published interpretations thereunder, except for any such failure that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Section 6.16 Plan Assets; Prohibited Transactions. None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is an entity deemed to hold “plan assets” (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations), and neither the execution, delivery nor performance of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, including the making of the Loan hereunder, will give rise to a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. Section 6.17 Full Disclosure. None of the representations or warranties made by the Borrower in the Loan Documents as of the date such representations and warranties are made or deemed made, and none of the statements contained in any exhibit, report, statement or certificate furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower in connection with the Loan Documents contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading as of the time when made or delivered. As of the date hereof, the information included in any Beneficial Ownership Certification required to be delivered hereunder is true and correct in all respects. It is understood that any financial projections contained in any of the aforementioned materials represent projections based on various assumptions that the Borrower believes in good faith are reasonable in light of the circumstances and that any such projection of future results of operations may or may not occur and no assurance can be given that any such projected results will be achieved.
69 ARTICLE VII AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS Until all of the Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due) have been paid and satisfied in full in cash, all Letters of Credit have been terminated or expired or have been Cash Collateralized and the Commitments terminated, the Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to: Section 7.1 Reporting. Deliver (or cause to be delivered) to each Lender: (a) As soon as available and in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of MDUEC, commencing with the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2025, financial statements of MDUEC and its Subsidiaries, consisting of a consolidated balance sheet and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flow and members’ equity as of the end of such fiscal year, together with consolidating exhibits of such financial statements (the “Consolidating Exhibits”) covering MDUEC and its Subsidiaries (including the Borrower), including identification of cash paid for income taxes and interest expense on the cash flow statement of such Consolidating Exhibits, in each case accompanied by the audit report thereon by independent certified public accountants selected by MDUEC and the Borrower and approved by the Administrative Agent (which reports shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP and shall not be qualified by reason of restricted or limited examination of any material portion of MDUEC’s records and shall contain no disclaimer of opinion or adverse opinion except such as the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion determines to be immaterial). (b) As soon as available and in any event within sixty (60) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, commencing with the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2026, unaudited consolidated statements of income, cash flow (including identification of cash paid for income taxes and interest expense) and changes in stockholders’ equity for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such quarter and for the period from the beginning of such fiscal year to the end of such quarter, and a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as at the end of such quarter, setting forth in comparative form figures for the corresponding period for the preceding fiscal year, accompanied by a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower stating that such financial statements present fairly the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and that the same have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except for the absence of footnotes and subject to year-end audit adjustments as to the interim statements). (c) Concurrently with the delivery of any financial statements under paragraph (a) or (b), an Officer’s Compliance Certificate, duly executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. (d) Promptly following the issuance thereof, a copy of any Authorizing Order not previously delivered to the Administrative Agent. (e) Promptly upon becoming available, copies of any reports or applications filed by the Borrower with any governmental body if such reports indicate any material change in the business, operations, affairs or condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or if copies thereof are requested by any Lender.
70 (f) Immediately after the commencement thereof, notice in writing of all litigation and of all proceedings before any governmental or regulatory agency affecting the Borrower of the type described in Section 6.7 or which seek a monetary recovery against the Borrower in excess of $10,000,000. (g) As promptly as practicable (but in any event not later than five (5) Business Days) after an officer of the Borrower obtains knowledge of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, notice of such occurrence, together with a detailed statement by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower of the steps being taken by the Borrower to cure the effect of such event. (h) Promptly following the issuance thereof, (i) any unfavorable determination letter from the IRS regarding the qualification of an Employee Benefit Plan under Section 401(a) of the Code (along with a copy thereof), (ii) all notices received by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of the PBGC’s intent to terminate any Pension Plan or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Pension Plan, (iii) all notices received by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning the imposition or amount of withdrawal liability pursuant to Section 4202 of ERISA and (iv) the Borrower obtaining knowledge or reason to know that the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has filed or intends to file a notice of intent to terminate any Pension Plan under a distress termination within the meaning of Section 4041(c) of ERISA. Promptly upon the request thereof, such other information and documentation required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable Anti-Money Laundering Laws (including any applicable “know your customer” rules and regulations and the PATRIOT Act), or any policy or procedure implemented by any of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to comply therewith, as from time to time reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender. (i) Such information (in addition to that specified elsewhere in this Section) respecting the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower as any Lender may from time to time reasonably request. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Joint Lead Arrangers will make available to the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on the Platform and (b) certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities) (each, a “Public Lender”). The Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all such Borrower Materials that are to be made available to the Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, means that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 11.9); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Investor;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Joint Lead Arrangers shall treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Investor.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any of the Borrower Materials “PUBLIC” and all information shall be deemed to be private unless the Borrower specifies in writing that it is public. Section 7.2 Books and Records; Inspection and Examination. Keep accurate books of record and account for itself in which true and complete entries will be made in accordance with GAAP and, upon request of any Lender, will give any representative of that Lender access to, and permit such representative to examine, copy or make extracts from, any and all books, records and documents in its possession, to
71 inspect any of its properties (subject to reasonable procedures relating to safety and security) and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with any of its principal officers, all at such times during normal business hours and as often as any Lender may reasonably request, provided that no Lender shall be entitled to examine, copy or make extracts from, or otherwise obtain information with respect to the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s records relating to pending or threatened litigation if any such disclosure by the Borrower or such Subsidiary would reasonably be expected to give rise to a waiver of any attorney/client privilege of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates relating to such information. Section 7.3 Compliance with Laws. Comply with the requirements of applicable laws and regulations, except any law and regulation (i) the compliance with which is contested in good faith or the subject of a bona fide dispute, and (ii) the noncompliance with which would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Section 7.4 Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. Pay or discharge, when due, (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or upon its income or profits, or upon any properties belonging to it, prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto, (b) all federal, state and local taxes required to be withheld by it, and (c) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien or charge upon any properties of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, that neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge or claim so long as (x) the amount, applicability or validity of such tax, assessment, charge or claim is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or is the subject of a bona fide dispute, and (y) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have provided adequate reserves therefor in accordance with GAAP, except (with respect to any of the foregoing) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Section 7.5 Maintenance of Properties. Subject to transactions permitted by Section 8.4, maintain and preserve all its property which is used or useful in its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except to the extent that noncompliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Section 7.6 Insurance. Maintain with financially sound and reputable independent insurers, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts (including deductibles, co-insurance and self-insurance, if adequate reserves are maintained with respect thereto) as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons, except to the extent that noncompliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and the Borrower will furnish any Lender upon request full information as to the insurance carried within fifteen (15) Business Days. Section 7.7 Preservation of Corporate Existence. Subject to transactions permitted by Section 8.4 or 8.6, (i) preserve and maintain in full force and effect its existence and good standing under the laws of its state or jurisdiction of incorporation; (ii) preserve and maintain in full force and effect all governmental rights, privileges, qualifications, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business; (iii) preserve its business organization and goodwill; and (iv) preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade names and service marks; except, in the case of clause (ii), (iii) or (iv), to the extent that failure to do so does not have a Material Adverse Effect. Section 7.8 Compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws; Beneficial Ownership Regulation, Anti- Money Laundering Laws and Sanctions. (a) Maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with all Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and applicable Sanctions, (b) notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender that previously received a Beneficial Ownership
72 Certification (or a certification that the Borrower qualifies for an express exclusion to the “legal entity customer” definition under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation) of any change in the information provided in the Beneficial Ownership Certification that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified therein (or, if applicable, the Borrower ceasing to fall within an express exclusion to the definition of “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation) and (c) promptly upon the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide the Administrative Agent or directly to such Lender, as the case may be, any information or documentation requested by it for purposes of complying with the Beneficial Ownership Regulation. ARTICLE VIII NEGATIVE COVENANTS Until all of the Obligations (other than contingent, indemnification obligations not then due) have been paid and satisfied in full in cash, all Letters of Credit have been terminated or expired and the Commitments terminated, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to: Section 8.1 Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any Lien on or with respect to any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except: (a) Liens for taxes, assessments of governmental charges or levies on its property if the same shall not at the time be delinquent or thereafter can be paid without penalty, or are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings. (b) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ liens and other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business which secure payment of obligations not yet due and payable or remaining payable without penalty or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings. (c) Liens arising out of pledges or deposits under worker’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance, old age pensions, or other social security or retirement benefits, or similar legislation. (d) Utility easements, buildings restrictions and such other encumbrances or charges against real property as are of a nature generally existing with respect to properties of a similar character and which do not in any material way affect the marketability of the same or interference with the use thereof in the business of the Borrower. (e) Purchase money Liens upon or in any property acquired or held by the Borrower in the ordinary course of business, provided that (i) no such Lien is created later than the 90th day following the acquisition or completion of construction of such property by the Borrower, and (ii) no such Lien extends or shall extend to or cover any property of the Borrower other than the property then being acquired, fixed improvements then or thereafter erected thereon and improvements and modifications thereto necessary to maintain such properties in working order. (f) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure (or to obtain letters of credit that secure) the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety bonds, appeal bonds, bids, leases (other than Capital Leases), performance bonds, purchase, construction or sales contracts and other similar obligations, in each case not incurred or made in connection with the incurrence of any Obligation.
73 (g) Liens resulting from judgments, unless such judgments are not bonded or otherwise discharged within sixty (60) days; are not stayed pending appeal or otherwise being appropriately contested in good faith; or are not discharged within forty-five (45) days after expiration of any such stay. (h) Liens created under or in connection with the Indenture as such Indenture exists on the date hereof, without regard to any waiver, amendment, modification or restatement thereof. (i) Liens permitted under the Indenture as such Indenture exists on the date hereof, without regard to any waiver, amendment, modification or restatement thereof. (j) Liens on any property of the Borrower (other than those described in subsection (e)) securing any indebtedness for borrowed money in existence on the date hereof and listed in Schedule 8.1 hereto. Section 8.2 Investments. Purchase or hold beneficially any stock or other securities or evidence of indebtedness of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, or make any investment or acquire any interest whatsoever in, any other Person, except: (a) Investments in Cash Equivalents pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Borrower’s then-current investment policy duly adopted by the board of directors of the Borrower. (b) Investments in the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Benefits Protection Trust in accordance with the Borrower’s historical practices. (c) Any existing investment by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the voting stock, membership interests or other equity interests of any Subsidiary. (d) Any investment by the Borrower in any Subsidiary after the date hereof, so long as (i) the entire amount of such investment is obtained from (A) the issuance of equity interests by the Borrower and/or (B) dividends or similar distributions paid to the Borrower by any other Subsidiary of the Borrower, in each case concurrent with the Borrower’s investment in such Subsidiary, and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing when such investment is actually made. In the case of any investment funded as described in clause (i)(B), the applicable dividend or distribution and the corresponding investment shall be accurately and completely reflected on the books and records of the Borrower and the applicable Subsidiaries. (e) Consolidations, mergers and acquisitions not prohibited by Section 8.6. (f) Travel, relocation and similar advances made to officers and employees of the Borrower in anticipation of expenses to be incurred by such officers and employees, in each case in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ business consistent with the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ past practices. (g) Advances in the form of progress payments, prepaid rent or security deposits. (h) Evidences of indebtedness in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the sale or lease of goods or services in the ordinary course of business. (i) Investments made for the purpose of economic development, so long as the aggregate value of the investments permitted by this clause (i) does not exceed $10,000,000.
74 Section 8.3 Distributions. Make any Distribution at any time following and during the continuance of any Default or Event of Default arising under paragraph (a), (b), (g) or (h) of Section 9.1. Section 8.4 Sale of Assets. Lease, sell or otherwise dispose of all, or a substantial portion of, its property, assets or business (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) to any other Person except for sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business. For purposes of this Section, “substantial portion” means assets (including other Persons) (i) representing more than 20% of the consolidated assets of the Borrower as reflected in the most recent consolidating financial statement of the Borrower referred to in Section 7.1, or (ii) responsible for more than 15% of the consolidated net sales or the consolidated net income of the Borrower as reflected in the financial statement referred to in clause (i) above. Section 8.5 Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into any material transaction or arrangement or series of related transactions or arrangements that in the aggregate would be material with any Affiliate of the Borrower, except (i) transactions upon terms no less favorable to the Borrower than would obtain, taking into account all facts and circumstances, in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of the Borrower, (ii) investments in Subsidiaries to the extent not prohibited by Section 8.2, (iii) Distributions to the extent not prohibited by Section 8.3, and (iv) payments required by regulatory rule or order; in the case of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), to the extent that such payments are (x) made in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business, (y) consistent with the Borrower’s past practices, and (z) fair and reasonable. Section 8.6 Consolidation and Merger. Consolidate with or merge into any Person, or permit any other Person to merge into it, or acquire (in a transaction analogous in purpose or effect to a consolidation or merger) all or substantially all of the assets of any other Person or any existing business (whether existing as a separate entity, subsidiary, division, unit, line of business or otherwise) of any Person; provided, however, that the restrictions contained in this Section shall not apply to or prevent the consolidation or merger of any Person with, or a conveyance or transfer of its assets to, the Borrower so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default exists at the time of, or will be caused by, such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, (ii) the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving corporation, and (iii) the prior, effective written consent or approval of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the other party to such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer is obtained. Section 8.7 Restrictions on Nature of Business. Engage in any material line of business that is significantly different from that presently engaged in by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. Section 8.8 Use of Proceeds. Request any Extension of Credit, and the Borrower shall not use, and shall ensure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Extension of Credit, directly or indirectly, (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws or Anti-Money Laundering Laws, (ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, or (iii) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions or Anti-Money Laundering Laws applicable to any party hereto. Section 8.9 Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio. At any time permit its Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio, determined as of any Covenant Compliance Date, to be greater than 0.65 to 1. Section 8.10 Limitations Regarding Outbound Investment Rules. (a) Be or become a “covered foreign person”, as that term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, or (b) engage, directly or indirectly, in (i) a “covered activity” or a “covered transaction”, as each such term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, (ii) any activity or transaction that would constitute a “covered activity” or a
75 “covered transaction”, as each such term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, if the Borrower were a United States Person or (iii) any other activity that would cause the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to be in violation of the Outbound Investment Rules or cause the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to be legally prohibited by the Outbound Investment Rules from performing under this Agreement. ARTICLE IX DEFAULT AND REMEDIES Section 9.1 Events of Default. Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default: (a) Default in the payment of any principal of any Loan or any Reimbursement Obligation when it becomes due and payable. (b) Default in the payment of any interest due hereunder or under any Note when the same becomes due and payable and the continuance of such default for a period of two (2) calendar days; or default in the payment of any fees required under Section 3.3 or Section 4.3 when the same become due and payable and the continuance of such default for a period of five (5) calendar days. (c) Default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement on the part of the Borrower or any applicable Subsidiary contained in Article VIII. (d) Default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in this Agreement (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and the continuance of such default or breach for a period of thirty (30) days after the Lenders have given notice to the Borrower specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied. (e) Any representation or warranty made by the Borrower in this Agreement or by the Borrower (or any of its officers) in any certificate, instrument, or statement contemplated by or made or delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement, shall prove to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made. (f) A default under the Indenture or with respect to any other Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any default dealt with elsewhere in this Section) and the expiration of the applicable period of grace, if any, specified in the applicable evidence of indebtedness, indenture or other instrument; provided, however, that no Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred under this paragraph if the aggregate amount owing as to all such Indebtedness as to which such defaults have occurred and are continuing is less than $15,000,000; provided further that if such default shall be cured by the Borrower or such Subsidiary, or waived by the holders of such Indebtedness, in each case prior to the commencement of any action under Section 9.2 and as may be permitted by such evidence of indebtedness, indenture or other instrument, then the Event of Default hereunder by reason of such default shall be deemed likewise to have been thereupon cured or waived. (g) The Borrower or any Material Subsidiary (i) ceases or fails to be Solvent, or generally fails to pay, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due, subject to applicable grace periods, if any, whether at stated maturity or otherwise; (ii) voluntarily ceases to conduct its business in the ordinary course; (iii) commences any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law with respect to itself; or (iv) takes any action to effectuate or authorize any of the foregoing.
76 (h) (i) Any involuntary proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law is commenced or filed against the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries, or any writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process is issued or levied against a substantial part of the Borrower’s or any Material Subsidiary’s properties, and any such proceeding or petition shall not be dismissed, or such writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall not be released, vacated or fully bonded within sixty (60) days after commencement, filing or levy; or (ii) the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries admits the material allegations of a petition against it in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or an order for relief (or similar order under non-U.S. law) is ordered in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or (iii) the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries acquiesces in the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, mortgagee in possession (or agent therefor), or similar Person for itself or a substantial portion of its property or business. (i) A Change in Control shall occur. (j) The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail within sixty (60) days to pay, bond or otherwise discharge any judgment or order for the payment of money in excess of $25,000,000, which is not stayed on appeal or otherwise being appropriately contested in good faith. (k) Any material provision of this Agreement or any provision of any other Loan Document shall for any reason, other than satisfaction in full of all Obligations, cease to be valid and binding on the Borrower, or the Borrower shall so state in writing, in each case other than in accordance with the express terms hereof or thereof. (l) (i) an ERISA Event with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, or an ERISA Termination Event with respect to a Pension Plan, shall occur which has resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of 10% of Consolidated Net Worth; (ii) the commencement or increase of contributions to, or the adoption of or the amendment of, a Pension Plan by the Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in an increase in Unfunded Pension Liability among all Pension Plans in an aggregate amount in excess of 10% of Consolidated Net Worth; or (iii) the Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate shall fail to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. (m) Any governmental authority or other administrative or legal authority having regulatory jurisdiction over the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries takes any action which has a Material Adverse Effect. Section 9.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower: (a) Acceleration; Termination of Credit Facility. Terminate the Commitment and declare the principal of and interest on the Loans at the time outstanding, and all other amounts owed to the Lenders and to the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (including all L/C Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented or shall be entitled to present the documents required thereunder) and all other Obligations, to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by the Borrower, anything in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, and
77 terminate the Credit Facility and any right of the Borrower to request borrowings or Letters of Credit thereunder; provided, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 9.1(g) or (h) the Credit Facility shall be automatically terminated and all Obligations shall automatically become due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by the Borrower, anything in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding. (b) Letters of Credit. With respect to all Letters of Credit with respect to which presentment for honor shall not have occurred at the time of an acceleration pursuant to the preceding paragraph, demand that the Borrower shall at such time deposit in a Cash Collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the Minimum Collateral Amount of the aggregate undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letter of Credit plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such Cash Collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall be immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default specified in Section 9.1(g) or (h). Amounts held in such Cash Collateral account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the payment of drafts drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion thereof after all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be applied to repay the other Obligations in accordance with Section 9.4. After all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, the Reimbursement Obligation shall have been satisfied and all other Obligations shall have been paid in full, the balance, if any, in such Cash Collateral account shall be returned to the Borrower. (c) General Remedies. Exercise on behalf of the Lender Parties all of its other rights and remedies under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and Applicable Law, in order to satisfy all of the Obligations. Section 9.3 Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Non-Waiver; etc. (a) The enumeration of the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders set forth in this Agreement is not intended to be exhaustive and the exercise by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of any right or remedy shall not preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies, all of which shall be cumulative, and shall be in addition to any other right or remedy given hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or that may now or hereafter exist at law or in equity or by suit or otherwise. No delay or failure to take action on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power or privilege shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege or shall be construed to be a waiver of any Event of Default. No course of dealing between the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders or their respective agents or employees shall be effective to change, modify or discharge any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or to constitute a waiver of any Event of Default. (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Borrower shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 9.2 for the benefit of all the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) any Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as an Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance
78 with Section 11.4 (subject to the terms of Section 4.6), or (d) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to the Borrower under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.2 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 4.6, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders. Section 9.4 Crediting of Payments and Proceeds. In the event that the Obligations have been accelerated pursuant to Section 9.2 or the Administrative Agent or any Lender has exercised any remedy set forth in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, all payments received on account of the Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 3.12, 4.14 and 4.15, be applied by the Administrative Agent as follows: First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts, including attorney fees, payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such; Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees (other than Facility Fees and Letter of Credit fees payable to the Revolving Credit Lenders), indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the Swingline Lender under the Loan Documents, including attorney fees, ratably among the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the Swingline Lender in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them; Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Facility Fees and Letter of Credit fees payable to the Revolving Credit Lenders and interest on the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations, ratably among the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the Swingline Lender in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them; Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, Reimbursement Obligations, ratably among the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth payable to them; Fifth, to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lenders, to Cash Collateralize any L/C Obligations then outstanding not to exceed the Minimum Collateral Amount; and Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Applicable Law. Section 9.5 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise: (a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the Administrative Agent
79 and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Sections 3.3, 4.3 and 11.3) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and (b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and each Issuing Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 3.3, 4.3 and 11.3. ARTICLE X THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT Section 10.1 Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders and each Issuing Lender hereby irrevocably appoints Wells Fargo to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Except as provided in Section 10.6, the provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and their respective Related Parties, and neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof shall have rights as a third-party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any Applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties. The provisions of this Article and each party’s rights and obligations hereunder shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Loan Document. Section 10.2 Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting, capital markets or other business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or to provide notice to, or request consent of, the Lenders with respect thereto. Section 10.3 Exculpatory Provisions. (a) The Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and their respective Related Parties shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and their duties hereunder and thereunder shall be administrative in nature. The motivations of
80 the Administrative Agent are commercial in nature, and not to invest in the general performance or operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and their respective Related Parties: (i) shall not be subject to any agency, trust, fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; (ii) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or Applicable Law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; (iii) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by a Person serving as the Administrative Agent, a Joint Lead Arranger or their respective Related Parties in any capacity; and (iv) shall not be required to account to any Lender or any Issuing Lender for any sum or profit received by the Administrative Agent for its own account. (b) Each of the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and their respective Related Parties shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 11.2 and Section 9.2) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final nonappealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Default or Event of Default and indicating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Lender. (c) The Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and their respective Related Parties shall not be responsible for or have any duty or obligations to any Lender or Participant or any other Person to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith (including any report provided to it by an Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.9), (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article V or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent, (vi) the validity, sufficiency, enforceability or effectiveness of any Loan Document or other agreement, instrument, document or other Communication executed or transmitted in accordance with Sections 7.1 or 11.14 or (vii) the utilization of any Issuing Lender’s L/C Commitment (it
81 being understood and agreed that each Issuing Lender shall monitor compliance with its own L/C Commitment without any further action by the Administrative Agent). Section 10.4 Reliance by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person, including any execution or transmission pursuant to Sections 7.1 or 11.14. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall be fully protected in relying or acting upon such statement or Communication and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or such Issuing Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or such Issuing Lender prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts. Each Lender or Issuing Lender that has signed this Agreement or a signature page to an Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan Document pursuant to which it is to become a Lender or Issuing Lender hereunder shall be deemed to have consented to, approved and accepted and shall be deemed satisfied with each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to, approved or accepted by such Lender or Issuing Lender or that is to be acceptable or satisfactory to such Lender or Issuing Lender. Section 10.5 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the Credit Facility as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub- agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents. Section 10.6 Resignation of Administrative Agent. (a) The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower and subject to the consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of the Borrower (provided no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such resignation), to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank or financial institution reasonably experienced in serving as administrative agent on syndicated bank facilities with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank or financial institution with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that in no
82 event shall any such successor Administrative Agent be a Defaulting Lender. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date. (b) If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, by notice in writing to the Borrower and such Person, remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, in consultation with the Borrower (to the extent a Default or Event of Default does not then exist), appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date. (c) With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable), (i) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the Issuing Lenders under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (ii) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and each Issuing Lender directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Administrative Agent (other than any rights to indemnity payments or other amounts owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 11.3 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent or relating to its duties as Administrative Agent that are carried out following its retirement or removal. (d) Any resignation by, or removal of, Wells Fargo as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as an Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Issuing Lender, if in its sole discretion it elects to, and Swingline Lender, (ii) the retiring Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (iii) the successor Issuing Lender, if in its sole discretion it elects to, shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring Issuing Lender to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring Issuing Lender with respect to such Letters of Credit. Section 10.7 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender and each Issuing Lender expressly acknowledges that none of the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers or any of their respective Related Parties has made any representations or warranties to it and that no act taken or failure to act by the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers or any of their respective Related
83 Parties, including any consent to, and acceptance of any assignment or review of the affairs of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall be deemed to constitute a representation or warranty of the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers or any of their respective Related Parties to any Lender, any Issuing Lender or any other Lender Party as to any matter, including whether the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers or any of their respective Related Parties have disclosed material information in their (or their respective Related Parties’) possession. Each Lender and each Issuing Lender expressly acknowledges, represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Joint Lead Arrangers that (a) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility, (b) it is engaged in making, acquiring, purchasing or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course and is entering into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party as a Lender for the purpose of making, acquiring, purchasing and/or holding the commercial loans set forth herein as may be applicable to it, and not for the purpose of investing in the general performance or operations of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or for the purpose of making, acquiring, purchasing or holding any other type of financial instrument such as a security, (c) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire, purchase or hold the commercial loans applicable to it and to provide the other facilities applicable to it as set forth herein and either it or the Person exercising discretion in making its decisions to make, acquire, purchase or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities is, in each case, experienced in making, acquiring, purchasing or holding commercial loans or providing such other facilities, (d) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, any other Lender or any of their respective Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and appraisal of, and investigations into, the business, prospects, operations, property, assets, liabilities, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, all applicable bank or other regulatory Applicable Laws relating to the Transactions and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (e) it has made its own independent decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party and to extend credit hereunder and thereunder and (f) it has all licenses, permits and approvals necessary for use of the reference rates referred to herein that are applicable to the Loans and other extensions of credit required to be made by it hereunder and it will take all actions necessary to comply, preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect any such licenses, permits and approvals. Each Lender and each Issuing Lender also acknowledges and agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers or any other Lender or any of their respective Related Parties (A) continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate and its own independent investigations and (B) continue to make such investigations and inquiries as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (ii) it will not assert any claim under any federal or state securities law or otherwise in contravention of this Section 10.7. Each party (including in the case of each Lender, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates that are Lender Parties) acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, from time to time provide payment schedules, payoff statements, payoff letters, interest statements or bills and other similar documentation indicating amounts owed hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and agrees that in the event of the conflict between any such documentation and this Agreement, this Agreement shall control. In the event the Administrative Agent notifies any party hereto at any time (including after the receipt of amounts indicated to be due and payable under the Loan Documents pursuant to such payment schedules, payoff statements, payoff letters, interest statements or bills and other similar documentation) that an amount owed by such party under the Loan Documents was mistakenly excluded from the amount indicated in any payment schedules, payoff statements, payoff letters, interest statements or bills and other similar documentation, then such party agrees to promptly pay such excluded amount after the Administrative Agent provides such party with documentation that evidences such excluded amount is due and payable hereunder; provided that nothing in this sentence shall be deemed to impair any termination of Commitments that has occurred, or is contemplated to occur, upon the receipt
84 by the Administrative Agent of the amounts indicated to be due in respect of the Obligations in the applicable payment schedules, payoff statements, payoff letters, interest statements or bills and other similar documentation. Section 10.8 No Other Duties, Etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the syndication agents, documentation agents, co-agents, arrangers or bookrunners listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an Issuing Lender hereunder. Section 10.9 Other Agent. Neither the Syndication Agent nor any Co-Documentation Agent shall have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing, neither the Syndication Agent nor any Co-Documentation Agent shall have or be deemed to have a fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender hereby makes the same acknowledgments with respect to the Syndication Agent and Co- Documentation Agents as it makes with respect to the Administrative Agent in Section 10.7. Section 10.10 Erroneous Payments. (a) Each Lender, each Issuing Lender, and any other party hereto hereby severally agrees that if (i) the Administrative Agent notifies (which such notice shall be conclusive absent manifest error) such Lender or Issuing Lender or any other Person that has received funds from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates, either for its own account or on behalf of a Lender or Issuing Lender (each such recipient, a “Payment Recipient”) that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Payment Recipient were erroneously transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Payment Recipient (whether or not known to such Payment Recipient) or (ii) any Payment Recipient receives any payment from the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, as applicable, (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, as applicable, or (z) that such Payment Recipient otherwise becomes aware was transmitted or received in error or by mistake (in whole or in part) then, in each case, an error in payment shall be presumed to have been made (any such amounts specified in clauses (i) or (ii) of this Section 10.10(a), whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise; individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”), then, in each case, such Payment Recipient is deemed to have knowledge of such error at the time of its receipt of such Erroneous Payment; provided that nothing in this Section shall require the Administrative Agent to provide any of the notices specified in clauses (i) or (ii) above. Each Payment Recipient agrees that it shall not assert any right or claim to any Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payments, including waiver of any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine. (b) Without limiting the immediately preceding clause (a), each Payment Recipient agrees that, in the case of clause (a)(ii) above, it shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent in writing of such occurrence. (c) In the case of either clause (a)(i) or (a)(ii) above, such Erroneous Payment shall at all times remain the property of the Administrative Agent and shall be segregated by the Payment Recipient and held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, and upon demand from the Administrative Agent such
85 Payment Recipient shall (or, shall cause any Person who received any portion of an Erroneous Payment on its behalf to), promptly, but in all events no later than one Business Day thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds and in the currency so received, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Payment Recipient to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect. (d) In the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered by the Administrative Agent for any reason, after demand therefor by the Administrative Agent in accordance with immediately preceding clause (c), from any Lender that is a Payment Recipient or an Affiliate of a Payment Recipient (such unrecovered amount as to such Lender, an “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency”), then at the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and upon the Administrative Agent’s written notice to such Lender (i) such Lender shall be deemed to have made a cashless assignment of the full face amount of the portion of its Loans (but not its Commitments) of the relevant Class with respect to which such Erroneous Payment was made (the “Erroneous Payment Impacted Class”) to the Administrative Agent or, at the option of the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent’s applicable lending affiliate in an amount that is equal to the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (or such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may specify) (such assignment of the Loans (but not Commitments) of the Erroneous Payment Impacted Class, the “Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment”) plus any accrued and unpaid interest on such assigned amount, without further consent or approval of any party hereto and without any payment by the Administrative Agent or its applicable lending affiliate as the assignee of such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (1) any assignment contemplated in this clause (d) shall be made without any requirement for any payment or other consideration paid by the applicable assignee or received by the assignor, (2) the provisions of this clause (d) shall govern in the event of any conflict with the terms and conditions of Section 11.8 and (3) the Administrative Agent may reflect such assignments in the Register without further consent or action by any other Person. (e) Each party hereto hereby agrees that (x) in the event an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Payment Recipient that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Administrative Agent (1) shall be subrogated to all the rights of such Payment Recipient with respect to such amount and (2) is authorized to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Payment Recipient under any Loan Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by the Administrative Agent to such Payment Recipient from any source, against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this Section 10.10 or under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement, (y) the receipt of an Erroneous Payment by a Payment Recipient shall not for the purpose of this Agreement be treated as a payment, prepayment, repayment, discharge or other satisfaction of any Obligations owed by the Borrower, except, in each case, to the extent such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower for the purpose of making a payment on the Obligations and (z) to the extent that an Erroneous Payment was in any way or at any time credited as payment or satisfaction of any of the Obligations, the Obligations or any part thereof that were so credited, and all rights of the Payment Recipient, as the case may be, shall be reinstated and continue in full force and effect as if such payment or satisfaction had never been received. (f) Each party’s obligations under this Section 10.10 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender or any Issuing Lender, the termination of the Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Loan Document.
86 (g) Nothing in this Section 10.10 will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of the Administrative Agent hereunder arising from any Payment Recipient’s receipt of an Erroneous Payment. ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS Section 11.1 Notices. (a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, e-mail, mailed by certified or registered mail or, with respect to any party other than the Borrower, sent by facsimile, as follows: If to the Borrower: Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. 400 North 4th Street Bismarck, ND 58501 Attention: Brent Miller E-Mail: brent.miller@mduresources.com If to Wells Fargo as Administrative Agent: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association MAC D1109-019 1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28262 Attention: Syndication Agency Services E-Mail: agencyservices.requests@wellsfargo.com With copies to: Wells Fargo Corporate & Investment Banking MAC N9305-156 90 S. 7th Street, 15th Floor Minneapolis, MN 55402 Attention: Whitney Young (Shellenberg) Telephone No.: 612-667-5878 E-Mail: whitney.l.shellenberg@wellsfargo.com If to any Lender: To the address of such Lender set forth on the Register with respect to deliveries of notices and other documentation that may contain material non-public information. Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given
87 at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b). (b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or any Issuing Lender pursuant to Article II or III if such Lender or such Issuing Lender, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or other communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient. (c) Administrative Agent’s Office. The Administrative Agent hereby designates its office located at the address set forth above, or any subsequent office which shall have been specified for such purpose by written notice to the Borrower and Lenders, as the Administrative Agent’s Office referred to herein, to which payments due are to be made and at which Loans will be disbursed and Letters of Credit requested. (d) Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender may change its address or other contact information for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Any Lender may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender. (e) Platform. (i) Each Lender, each Issuing Lender and the Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make the Borrower Materials available to the Issuing Lenders and the other Lenders by posting the Borrower Materials on the Platform. (ii) The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the Borrower Materials or the adequacy of the Platform, and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Borrower Materials. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Borrower Materials or the Platform. Although the Platform is secured pursuant to generally-applicable security procedures and policies implemented or modified by the Administrative Agent and its Related Parties, each of the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that distribution of information through an electronic means is not necessarily secure in all respects, the Administrative
88 Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger and their respective Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) are not responsible for approving or vetting the representatives, designees or contacts of any Lender or Issuing Lender that are provided access to the Platform and that there may be confidentiality and other risks associated with such form of distribution. Each of the Borrower, each Lender and each Issuing Lender party hereto understands and accepts such risks. In no event shall the Agent Parties have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person or entity for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of communications through the Internet (including the Platform), except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, any Issuing Lender or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages, losses or expenses (as opposed to actual damages, losses or expenses). Section 11.2 Amendments, Waivers and Consents. Except as set forth below or as specifically provided in any Loan Document, any term, covenant, agreement or condition of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents may be amended or waived by the Lenders, and any consent given by the Lenders, if, but only if, such amendment, waiver or consent is in writing signed by the Required Lenders (or by the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders) and delivered to the Administrative Agent and, in the case of an amendment, signed by the Borrower; provided, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall: (a) increase or extend the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 9.2) or increase the amount of Loans of any Lender, in any case, without the written consent of such Lender; provided, that only the Required Lenders shall be necessary for the waiver of any Event of Default (other than those resulting pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) of Section 9.1) and the election not to charge, or the waiver of any, interest accruing at the rate provided in Section 4.1(b); (b) waive, extend or postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment or mandatory prepayment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby; (c) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation, or (subject to clause (iv) of the proviso set forth in the paragraph below) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby; provided that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (i) to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at the rate set forth in Section 4.1(b) or (ii) to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Obligation or to reduce any fee payable hereunder; (d) change Section 4.6 or Section 9.4 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments or order of application required thereby without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby; (e) change any provision of this Section or reduce the percentages specified in the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;
89 (f) consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of the Borrower’s rights and obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party (except as permitted pursuant to Section 8.6), in each case, without the written consent of each Lender; or (g) subordinate the Obligations in right of payment to any other obligations or indebtedness for borrowed money; provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by each affected Issuing Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of such Issuing Lender under this Agreement or any Letter of Credit Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swingline Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swingline Lender under this Agreement; (iii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (iv) each Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto, (v) each Letter of Credit Document may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto; provided that a copy of such amended Letter of Credit Document shall be promptly delivered to the Administrative Agent upon such amendment or waiver, (vi) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall be permitted to amend any provision of the Loan Documents (and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document) if the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall have jointly identified an obvious error or any error, ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or omission of a technical or immaterial nature in any such provision; and (vii) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may, without the consent of any Lender, enter into amendments or modifications to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or enter into additional Loan Documents as the Administrative Agent reasonably deems appropriate in order to implement any Benchmark Replacement or any Conforming Changes or otherwise effectuate the terms of Section 4.8(c) in accordance with the terms of Section 4.8(c). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder, except that (A) the Commitment of such Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender, and (B) any amendment, waiver, or consent hereunder which requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms disproportionately and adversely affects any such Defaulting Lender relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent on its behalf, and without further consent of any Lender (but with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent), to (x) amend and restate this Agreement and the other Loan Documents if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Lender shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated), the Commitments of such Lender shall have terminated, such Lender shall have no other commitment or other obligation hereunder and shall have been paid in full all principal, interest and other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (y) enter into amendments or modifications to this Agreement (including amendments to this Section 11.2) or any of the other Loan Documents or to enter into additional Loan Documents as the Administrative Agent reasonably deems appropriate in order to effectuate the terms of Section 4.13; provided that no amendment or modification shall result in any increase in the amount of any Lender’s Commitment without the written consent of such affected Lender.
90 Section 11.3 Expenses; Indemnity. (a) Costs and Expenses. The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of- pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent (including the reasonable and documented out-of- pocket fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent), in connection with the syndication of the Credit Facility, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket and documented expenses incurred by any Issuing Lender in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Lender (including the reasonable and documented out-of- pocket fees, disbursements and other charges of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit. (b) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Joint Lead Arranger, each Lender and each Issuing Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, and shall pay or reimburse any such Indemnitee for, any and all losses, claims (including any Environmental Claims), penalties, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee) incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any Person (including the Borrower), arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by any Issuing Lender to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, or any Environmental Claim arising from the activities, operations or property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, or (v) any claim (including any Environmental Claims), investigation, litigation or other proceeding (whether or not the Administrative Agent or any Lender is a party thereto) relating to any of the foregoing, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (A) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (B) result from a claim brought by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the Borrower or such Subsidiary has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. This Section 11.3(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim. (c) Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under clause (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), any Joint Lead Arranger, any Issuing Lender, the
91 Swingline Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), such Joint Lead Arranger, such Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought based on each Lender’s share of the Total Credit Exposure at such time, or if the Total Credit Exposure has been reduced to zero, then based on such Lender’s share of the Total Credit Exposure immediately prior to such reduction) of such unpaid amount (including any such unpaid amount in respect of a claim asserted by such Lender); provided that with respect to such unpaid amounts owed to any Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender solely in its capacity as such, only the Revolving Credit Lenders shall be required to pay such unpaid amounts, such payment to be made severally among them based on such Revolving Credit Lenders’ Commitment Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought or, if the Commitment has been reduced to zero as of such time, determined immediately prior to such reduction); provided, further, that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), such Joint Lead Arranger, such Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), such Joint Lead Arranger, such Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 4.7. (d) Electronic Transmission, Etc. No Indemnitee referred to in clause (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. (e) Payments. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor. (f) Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section shall survive the termination of the Loan Documents and payment of the obligations hereunder. Section 11.4 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, to setoff and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, such Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, such Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender or any of their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, such Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or any such Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender, such Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or such Affiliate different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender or any Affiliate thereof shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so setoff shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.15 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender or Affiliate of a Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender or its Affiliate shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement
92 describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender or any of its Affiliates as to which such right of setoff was exercised. The rights of each Lender, each Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, such Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender, such Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender agree to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application. Section 11.5 Governing Law; Jurisdiction, Etc. (a) Governing Law. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any claim, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) based upon, arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except, as to any other Loan Document, as expressly set forth therein) and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York. (b) Submission to Jurisdiction. The Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that it will not commence any action, litigation or proceeding of any kind or description, whether in law or equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, against the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger, any Lender, any Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender, or any Related Party of the foregoing in any way relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions relating hereto or thereto, in any forum other than the courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County, and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action, litigation or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action, litigation or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction. (c) Waiver of Venue. The Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court. (d) Service of Process. Each party hereto irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 11.1. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by Applicable Law. (e) Waiver of Consequential Damages; Etc. Without limiting the generality of the other provisions of this Agreement, including Section 11.3, the Borrower agrees, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, that none of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders, nor any Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (such persons, collectively, the “Lender Related Parties”) shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract or tort, or otherwise) to the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any of their respective equity holders or creditors arising out of, related to or in connection with any aspect of the transactions
93 contemplated hereby or under any of the other Loan Documents, except to the extent such liability is determined in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Lender Related Party’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, and without limitation of the indemnity of the Borrower provided in Section 11.3(b), no party hereto shall assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any other party hereto (or any other Lender Related Party), on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. Section 11.6 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION. Section 11.7 Reversal of Payments. To the extent the Borrower makes a payment or payments to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender or the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, which payments or proceeds (including any proceeds of such setoff) or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any Debtor Relief Law, other Applicable Law or equitable cause, then, to the extent of such payment or proceeds repaid, the Obligations or part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment or proceeds had not been received by the Administrative Agent, and each Lender and each Issuing Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable ratable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent plus interest thereon at a per annum rate equal to Overnight Rate time to time in effect. Section 11.8 Successors and Assigns; Participations. (a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender, and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of this Section or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of paragraph (e) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in paragraph (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
94 (b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that, in each case with respect to any Credit Facility, any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions: (i) Minimum Amounts. (A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and/or the Loans at the time owing to it (in each case with respect to any Credit Facility) or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds (determined after giving effect to such assignments) that equal at least the amount specified in paragraph 11.8(b)(i)(B) of this Section in the aggregate or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender, no minimum amount need be assigned; and (B) in any case not described in paragraph 11.8(b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $5,000,000, in the case of any assignment in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, or $1,000,000, in the case of any assignment of any other Credit Facility, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have given its consent five (5) Business Days after the date written notice thereof has been delivered by the assigning Lender (through the Administrative Agent) unless such consent is expressly refused by the Borrower prior to such fifth (5th) Business Day; (ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Commitment assigned; (iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by paragraph 11.8(b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition: (A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (x) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (y) such assignment is to a Revolving Credit Lender, an Affiliate of a Revolving Credit Lender or an Approved Fund of a Revolving Credit Lender; provided, that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof; (B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Commitment, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender; and
95 (C) the consents of the Issuing Lenders and the Swingline Lender shall be required for any assignment in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility. (iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $4,500 for each assignment; provided that (A) only one such fee will be payable in connection with simultaneous assignments to two or more related Approved Funds by a Lender and (B) the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire. (v) No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made to (A) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or (B) any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (v). (vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person). (vii) Certain Additional Payments. In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested, but not funded by, the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (A) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders, the Swingline Lender and each other Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon), and (B) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans in accordance with its Commitment Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under Applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs. Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.8(a), 4.10, 4.11 and 11.3 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as
96 a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (d) of this Section (other than a purported assignment to a natural Person or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates, which shall be null and void). (c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in the United States, a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amounts of (and stated interest on) the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders, the Swingline Lender, and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender (but only to the extent of entries in the Register that are applicable to such Lender), at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. (d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to any Person (other than (A) a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person), (B) the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates or (C) any Defaulting Lender) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 11.3(c) with respect to any payments made by such Lender to its Participant(s). Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in Sections 11.2(a), (b), (c) or (d) that directly and adversely affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.8(a), 4.10 and 4.11 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 4.11(g) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 4.11(g) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 4.12 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 4.10 or 4.11, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 4.12(b) with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 11.4 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 4.6 and Section 11.4 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the
97 principal amounts of (and stated interest on) each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register. (e) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto. Section 11.9 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective Related Parties in connection with the Credit Facility, this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or in connection with marketing of services by such Affiliate or Related Party to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent required or requested by, or required to be disclosed to, any regulatory or similar authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self- regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) or in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s, such Issuing Lender’s or any Lender’s regulatory compliance policy if the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Lender or such Lender, as applicable, deems such disclosure to be necessary for the mitigation of claims by those authorities against the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Lender or such Lender, as applicable, or any of its Related Parties (in which case, the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Lender or such Lender, as applicable, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to, except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any governmental bank regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority, promptly notify the Borrower, in advance, to the extent practicable and otherwise permitted by Applicable Law), (c) as to the extent required by Applicable Laws or regulations or in any legal, judicial, administrative proceeding or other compulsory process (after providing notice to the Borrower, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and practicable, to permit an opportunity to seek a protective order or injunctive relief), (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies under this Agreement, under any other Loan Document, or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap or derivative transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder, in reliance on this clause (f), (g) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the Credit Facility or (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the Credit Facility, (h) with the consent of the Borrower, (i) deal terms and other information customarily reported to Thomson Reuters, other bank market data collectors and similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Administrative
98 Agent and the Lenders in connection with the administration of the Loan Documents, (j) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Lender or any of their respective Affiliates from a third party that is not, to such Person’s knowledge, subject to confidentiality obligations to the Borrower, (k) to the extent that such information is independently developed by such Person, or (l) for purposes of establishing a “due diligence” defense. For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein prohibits any individual from communicating or disclosing information regarding suspected violations of laws, rules, or regulations to a governmental, regulatory, or self-regulatory authority without any notification to any Person. Section 11.10 All Powers Coupled with Interest. All powers of attorney and other authorizations granted by the Lenders to the Administrative Agent and any Persons designated by the Administrative Agent pursuant to any provisions of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable so long as any of the Obligations remain unpaid or unsatisfied, any of the Commitments remain in effect or the Credit Facility has not been terminated. Section 11.11 Survival. (a) All representations and warranties set forth in Article VI and all representations and warranties contained in any Loan Document (including, but not limited to, any such representation or warranty made in or in connection with any amendment thereto) shall constitute representations and warranties made under this Agreement. All representations and warranties made under this Agreement shall be made or deemed to be made at and as of the Closing Date (except those that are expressly made as of a specific date), shall survive the Closing Date and shall not be waived by the execution and delivery of this Agreement, any investigation made by or on behalf of the Lenders or any borrowing hereunder. (b) Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the indemnities and exculpation to which the Indemnitees or any Lender Related Parties, as applicable, are entitled under the provisions of this Article XI and any other provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall continue in full force and effect and shall protect such Indemnitees or such Lender Related Parties, as applicable, against events arising after such termination as well as before. Section 11.12 Titles and Captions. Titles and captions of Articles, Sections and subsections in, and the table of contents of, this Agreement are for convenience only, and neither limit nor amplify the provisions of this Agreement. Section 11.13 Severability of Provisions. Any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions hereof or thereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. In the event that any provision is held to be so prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate
99 in good faith to amend such provision to preserve the original intent thereof in such jurisdiction (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders). Section 11.14 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution. (a) Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and/or any Joint Lead Arranger constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 5.1, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or in electronic (i.e., “pdf” or “tif”) format shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. (b) Electronic Execution. The words “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery” and words of like import in or related to any Communication to be signed or delivered in connection with this Agreement, any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures or execution in the form of an Electronic Record, and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any Applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. Each party hereto agrees that any Electronic Signature or execution in the form of an Electronic Record shall be valid and binding on itself and each of the other parties hereto to the same extent as a manual, original signature. For the avoidance of doubt, the authorization under this paragraph may include, use or acceptance by the parties of a manually signed paper which has been converted into electronic form (such as scanned into PDF format), or an electronically signed paper converted into another format, for transmission, delivery and/or retention. The Administrative Agent and the Borrower may create one or more copies of any Communication in the form of an imaged Electronic Record, which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of such Person’s business, and destroy the original paper document. All Communications in the form of an Electronic Record, including one or more copies of any Communication in the form of an imaged Electronic Record, shall be considered an original for all purposes, and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to accept an Electronic Signature in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that without limiting the foregoing, (i) to the extent the Administrative Agent has agreed to accept such Electronic Signature from any party hereto, the Administrative Agent and the other parties hereto shall be entitled to rely on any such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of the executing party without further verification and (ii) upon the request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower or any Lender, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by an original manually executed counterpart thereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby (A) agrees that, for all purposes, including without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower, electronic images of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (in each case, including with respect to any signature pages thereto) shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, and (B) waives (1) any argument,
100 defense or right to contest the validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents based solely on the lack of paper original copies of any Loan Documents, including with respect to any signature pages thereto and (2) any claim against the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any of their Related Parties for liabilities arising solely from the Administrative Agent’s, any Lender’s or any of their Related Parties’ reliance on or use of Electronic Signatures, including any such liabilities arising as a result of the failure of the Borrower to use any available security measures in connection with the execution, delivery or transmission of any such Electronic Signature. Each party hereto acknowledges, represents and warrants to the other parties hereto that it has the corporate or other organizational capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and any other Communication through electronic means as provided for herein and there are no restrictions or other limitations on doing so in such party’s organizational documents. Section 11.15 Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall remain in effect from the Closing Date through and including the date upon which all Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due) arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall have been paid and satisfied in full, all Letters of Credit have been terminated or expired (or been Cash Collateralized or otherwise satisfied in a manner acceptable to the applicable Issuing Lender) and the Commitment has been terminated. No termination of this Agreement shall affect the rights and obligations of the parties hereto arising prior to such termination or in respect of any provision of this Agreement which by its express terms survives such termination. Section 11.16 PATRIOT Act; Anti-Money Laundering Laws. The Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the PATRIOT Act or any other Anti-Money Laundering Laws, each of them is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name, address and tax identification number of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the PATRIOT Act or such Anti-Money Laundering Laws. Section 11.17 Independent Effect of Covenants. The Borrower expressly acknowledges and agrees that each covenant contained in Articles VII or VIII hereof shall be given independent effect. Accordingly, the Borrower shall not engage in any transaction or other act otherwise permitted under any covenant contained in Articles VII or VIII, before or after giving effect to such transaction or act, the Borrower shall or would be in breach of any other covenant contained in Articles VII or VIII. Section 11.18 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. (a) In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that (i) the facility provided for hereunder and any related arranging or other services in connection therewith (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document) are an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders, on the other hand, and the Borrower is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or thereof), (ii) in connection with the process leading to such transaction, each of the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary, for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other Person, (iii) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders, on the other hand, (iv) none of the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Issuing
101 Lenders or the Lenders has assumed or will assume an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Borrower with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto, including with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document (irrespective of whether the Joint Lead Arrangers, any Issuing Lender or any Lender has advised or is currently advising the Borrower or any of its Affiliates on other matters) and none of the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Issuing Lenders or the Lenders has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the financing transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, (v) the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from, and may conflict with, those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and none of the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Issuing Lenders or the Lenders has any obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory, agency or fiduciary relationship and (vi) the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders have not provided and will not provide any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document) and the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent they have deemed appropriate. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against any of the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby. (b) The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that each Lender, each of the Joint Lead Arrangers and any Affiliate thereof may lend money to, invest in, and generally engage in any kind of business with, any of the Borrower, any Affiliate thereof or any other person or entity that may do business with or own securities of any of the foregoing, all as if such Lender, such Joint Lead Arranger or Affiliate thereof were not a Lender or Joint Lead Arranger or an Affiliate thereof (or an agent or any other person with any similar role under the Credit Facilities) and without any duty to account therefor to any other Lender, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Borrower or any Affiliate of the foregoing. Each Lender, each of the Joint Lead Arrangers and any Affiliate thereof may accept fees and other consideration from the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof for services in connection with this Agreement, the Credit Facilities or otherwise without having to account for the same to any other Lender, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Borrower or any Affiliate of the foregoing. Section 11.19 Inconsistencies with Other Documents. In the event there is a conflict or inconsistency between this Agreement and any other Loan Document, the terms of this Agreement shall control. Section 11.20 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by: (a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and (b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable: (i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
102 (ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or (iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of any Resolution Authority. Section 11.21 Certain ERISA Matters. (a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower, that at least one of the following is and will be true: (i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments or this Agreement; (ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement; (iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement; or (iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender. (b) In addition, unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the
103 benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower, that the Administrative Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto). (c) The Administrative Agent and each Joint Lead Arranger hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal- away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing. Section 11.22 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Hedge Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support” and, each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the FDIC under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States): (a) In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.
104 (b) As used in this Section 11.22, the following terms have the following meanings: “BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party. “Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b). “Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable. “QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D). Section 11.23 Amendment and Restatement; No Novation. This Agreement constitutes an amendment and restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement, effective from and after the Closing Date. The execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not constitute a novation of any indebtedness or other obligations owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders, the Swingline Lender or the Administrative Agent under the Existing Credit Agreement based on facts or events occurring or existing prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement. On the Closing Date, the credit facilities described in the Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended, supplemented, modified and restated in their entirety by the facilities described herein, and all loans, letters of credit and other obligations of the Borrower outstanding as of such date under the Existing Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be loans, letters of credit and obligations outstanding under the corresponding facilities described herein, without any further action by any Person, except that the Administrative Agent shall make such transfers of funds as are necessary in order that the outstanding balance of such Loans, together with any Loans funded on the Closing Date, reflect the respective Commitments of the Lenders hereunder. As of the Closing Date, the Commitments of each financial institution party to the Existing Credit Agreement as a lender that has elected not to continue as a Lender under this Credit Agreement and that is identified on the signature pages hereto as an Exiting Lender (the “Exiting Lenders”) shall be terminated and permanently reduced to zero. As of the Closing Date, each of the Exiting Lenders shall cease to be a party to the Existing Credit Agreement and shall have no further rights or obligations thereunder and shall have no rights or obligations hereunder other than as set forth in this Section (other than any right or obligation that pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement expressly survives a termination of the Commitments) and each Exiting Lender shall return to the Borrower any promissory note executed and delivered by the Borrower to such Exiting Lender pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement. Except as expressly amended hereby, each Loan Document shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with the provisions thereof on the date hereof. Any reference to the “Agreement,” “Credit Agreement” or any of the other Loan Documents herein or in any other Loan Documents shall refer to this Agreement and such other Loan Documents as amended hereby. [Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature pages follow]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed under seal by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year first written above. TIES CO., Borrower By:___, ......... �f---Mt--7£f-::�----="'----"-------'=----- Na Tit! [Signature Page to Third Amended & Restated Credit Agreement}
[Signature Page to Third Amended & Restated Credit Agreement] AGENTS AND LENDERS: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender, Issuing Lender and Lender By: Name: Whitney Shellenberg Title: Executive Director
[Signature Page to Third Amended & Restated Credit Agreement] COBANK, ACB, as a Lender By: Name: Jared A Greene Title: Assistant Corporate Secretary
[Signature Page to Third Amended & Restated Credit Agreement] JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as a Lender By: Name: Eduardo Lopez Peiro Title: Vice President
[Signature Page to Third Amended & Restated Credit Agreement] CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, NEW YORK BRANCH, as a Lender By: Name: Amit Vasani Title: Managing Director
[Signature Page to Third Amended & Restated Credit Agreement] THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH, as a Lender By: Name: Paul Yoon Title: Director
EXHIBIT A-1 to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent FORM OF REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE
REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE $___________ _______, 20__ FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, MONTANA-DAKOTA UTILITIES CO., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), promises to pay to ________________ (the “Lender”), at the place and times provided in the Credit Agreement referred to below, the principal sum of ________________ DOLLARS ($__________) or, if less, the unpaid principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made by the Lender from time to time pursuant to that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2025 (as amended, restated, extended or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement. The unpaid principal amount of this Revolving Credit Note from time to time outstanding is payable as provided in the Credit Agreement and shall bear interest as provided in Section 4.1 of the Credit Agreement. All payments of principal and interest on this Revolving Credit Note shall be payable in Dollars in immediately available funds as provided in the Credit Agreement. This Revolving Credit Note is entitled to the benefits of, and evidences Obligations incurred under, the Credit Agreement, to which reference is made for a statement of the terms and conditions on which the Borrower is permitted and required to make prepayments and repayments of principal of the Obligations evidenced by this Revolving Credit Note and on which such Obligations may be declared to be immediately due and payable. THIS REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. The Borrower hereby waives all requirements as to diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and (except as required by the Credit Agreement) notice of any kind with respect to this Revolving Credit Note.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Revolving Credit Note as of the day and year first above written. MONTANA-DAKOTA UTILITIES CO. By: Name: Title:
EXHIBIT A-2 to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent FORM OF SWINGLINE NOTE
SWINGLINE NOTE $___________ _______, 20__ FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, MONTANA-DAKOTA UTILITIES CO., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), promises to pay to WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (the “Lender”), at the place and times provided in the Credit Agreement referred to below, the principal sum of FIFTEEN MILLION DOLLARS ($15,000,000) or, if less, the unpaid principal amount of all Swingline Loans made by the Lender from time to time pursuant to that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2025 (as amended, restated, extended or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement. The unpaid principal amount of this Swingline Note from time to time outstanding is payable as provided in the Credit Agreement and shall bear interest as provided in Section 4.1 of the Credit Agreement. Swingline Loans refunded as Revolving Credit Loans in accordance with Section 2.2(b) of the Credit Agreement shall be payable by the Borrower as Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to the Revolving Credit Notes, and shall not be payable under this Swingline Note as Swingline Loans. All payments of principal and interest on this Swingline Note shall be payable in Dollars in immediately available funds as provided in the Credit Agreement. This Swingline Note is entitled to the benefits of, and evidences Obligations incurred under, the Credit Agreement, to which reference is made for a statement of the terms and conditions on which the Borrower is permitted and required to make prepayments and repayments of principal of the Obligations evidenced by this Swingline Note and on which such Obligations may be declared to be immediately due and payable. THIS SWINGLINE NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. The Borrower hereby waives all requirements as to diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and (except as required by the Credit Agreement) notice of any kind with respect to this Swingline Note.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Swingline Note as of the day and year first above written. MONTANA-DAKOTA UTILITIES CO. By: Name: Title:
EXHIBIT B to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING
NOTICE OF BORROWING Dated as of: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent MAC D 1109-019 1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd. Charlotte, North Carolina 28262 Attention: Syndication Agency Services Ladies and Gentlemen: This irrevocable Notice of Borrowing is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement. 1. The Borrower hereby requests that the Lenders make [a Revolving Credit Loan][a Swingline Loan] to the Borrower in the aggregate principal amount of $ . (Complete with an amount in accordance with Section 2.3, of the Credit Agreement.) 2. The Borrower hereby requests that such Loan(s) be made on the following Business Day: . (Complete with a Business Day in accordance with Section 2.3 of the Credit Agreement for Revolving Credit Loans or Swingline Loans). 3. The Borrower hereby requests that such Loan(s) bear interest at the Base Rate or Term SOFR, as set forth below: Component of Loan1 Base Rate or Term SOFR Interest Period (SOFR Loan only)2 4. All of the conditions in Section 5.2 of the Credit Agreement applicable to the Loan(s) requested herein will be satisfied or waived on the date of borrowing. 1 Complete with the Dollar amount of that portion of the overall Loan requested that is to bear interest at the selected interest rate and/or Interest Period (e.g., for a $20,000,000 loan, $5,000,000 may be requested at Base Rate, $8,000,000 may be requested at Term SOFR with an interest period of three months and $7,000,000 may be requested at Term SOFR with an interest period of one month). 2 One, three or six months.
5. [The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender for any breakage costs owed to such Lender under Section 4.9 of the Credit Agreement (regardless of whether the Credit Agreement ever becomes effective).]3 [Signature Page Follows] 3 To be inserted for SOFR Loan requests at closing.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Notice of Borrowing as of the day and year first written above. MONTANA-DAKOTA UTILITIES CO. By: Name: Title:
EXHIBIT C to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent FORM OF NOTICE OF ACCOUNT DESIGNATION
NOTICE OF ACCOUNT DESIGNATION1 Dated as of: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent MAC D 1109-019 1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd. Charlotte, North Carolina 28262 Attention: Syndication Agency Services Ladies and Gentlemen: This Notice of Account Designation is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.3(b) of the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement. 1. The Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to disburse all Loan proceeds into the following account(s): Account Name: Bank Name: ABA Routing Number: Account Number: 2. This authorization shall remain in effect until revoked or until a subsequent Notice of Account Designation is provided to the Administrative Agent. [Signature Page Follows] 1 Note to Borrower: Please confirm whether existing account designation is still correct and applicable or whether Borrower intends to deliver a new Notice of Account Designation prior to closing.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Notice of Account Designation as of the day and year first written above. MONTANA-DAKOTA UTILITIES CO. By: Name: Title:
EXHIBIT D to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION
NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION Dated as of: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent MAC D 1109-019 1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd. Charlotte, North Carolina 28262 Attention: Syndication Agency Services Ladies and Gentlemen: This irrevocable Notice of Conversion/Continuation (this “Notice”) is delivered to you pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement. 1. The Loan to which this Notice relates is a Revolving Credit Loan. 2. This Notice is submitted for the purpose of: (Check one and complete applicable information in accordance with the Credit Agreement.) ☐ Converting all or a portion of a Base Rate Loan into a SOFR Loan Outstanding principal balance: $ Principal amount to be converted: $ Requested effective date of conversion: Requested new Interest Period:1 ☐ Converting all or a portion of a SOFR Loan into a Base Rate Loan Outstanding principal balance: $ Principal amount to be converted: $ Last day of the current Interest Period: Requested effective date of conversion: 1 To be one, three or six months.
☐ Continuing all or a portion of a SOFR Loan as a SOFR Loan Outstanding principal balance: $ Principal amount to be continued: $ Last day of the current Interest Period: Requested effective date of continuation: Requested new Interest Period:2 [Signature Page Follows] 2 To be one, three or six months.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Notice of Conversion/Continuation as of the day and year first written above. MONTANA-DAKOTA UTILITIES CO. By: Name: Title:
EXHIBIT E To Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent FORM OF OFFICER’S COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
OFFICER’S COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE Dated as of: The undersigned, on behalf of Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), hereby certifies, in [her/his] capacity as a Responsible Officer and not individually, to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, each as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below, as follows: 1. This certificate is delivered to you pursuant to Section [7.1(c)][4.13(a)(ii)] of the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement. 2. I have reviewed the [attached financial statements] [financial statements most recently posted on [ ] and such statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flows for the period[s] indicated [subject to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes]1. 3. I have reviewed the terms of the Credit Agreement, and the related Loan Documents and have made, or caused to be made under my supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the transactions and the condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by the financial statements referred to in Paragraph 2 above. Such review has not disclosed the existence of any Default or Event of Default continuing at the date of this certificate [except for the Defaults or Events of Default listed on Annex A, which such Annex A describes the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Borrower has taken, is taking and proposes to take with respect thereto]. 4. As of the date of this certificate, calculations determining such figures and the determination of compliance with the financial covenant set forth in Section 8.9 of the Credit Agreement are set forth on the attached Schedule 1. 5. No change in the generally accepted accounting principles used in the preparation of the financial statements provided pursuant to Sections 7.1(a) or (b) of the Credit Agreement has occurred since the delivery of the last set of financial statements provided pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) of the Credit Agreement [(or if such a change has occurred, the Borrower has provided a statement of reconciliation conforming such financial statements to GAAP attached hereto)]. [Signature Page Follows] 1 To be include only in connection with the delivery of quarterly financial statements.
WITNESS the following signature as of the day and year first written above. MONTANA-DAKOTA UTILITIES CO. By: Name: Title:
Schedule 1 to Officer’s Compliance Certificate For the Quarter/Year ended (the “Covenant Compliance Date”) A. Funded Debt of Borrower and all Subsidiaries (consolidated) (i) Indebtedness for borrowed money $ (ii) Other Indebtedness evidenced by notes, etc. $ (iii) Capital Lease obligations $ (iv) Secured obligations $ (v) Letters of credit, etc. $ (vi) Sale-and-Leaseback Transaction Agreements $ (vii) Interest rate/currency agreements $ (viii) Guaranty obligations $ Total $ B. Total Capitalization of Borrower and all Subsidiaries (consolidated) (i) Total Funded Debt $ (ii) Shareholders’ Equity $ Total $ C. Total Funded Debt : Capitalization Ratio : 1.00 Maximum Ratio .65 : 1.00
EXHIBIT F to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION This Assignment and Assumption (the “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [INSERT NAME OF ASSIGNOR] (the “Assignor”) and the parties identified on the Schedules hereto and [the] [each]1 Assignee identified on the Schedules hereto as “Assignee” or as “Assignees” (collectively, the “Assignees” and each, an “Assignee”). [It is understood and agreed that the rights and obligations of the Assignees2 hereunder are several and not joint.]3 Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by [the] [each] Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full. For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the [Assignee] [respective Assignees], and [the] [each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including without limitation any letters of credit, guarantees, and swingline loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under Applicable Law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned to [the] [any] Assignee pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as, [the] [an] “Assigned Interest”). Each such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor. 1. Assignor: [INSERT NAME OF ASSIGNOR] 2. Assignee(s): See Schedules attached hereto 3. Borrower: Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. 4. Administrative Agent: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement 1 For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignee(s), if the assignment is to a single Assignee, choose the first bracketed language. If the assignment is to multiple Assignees, choose the second bracketed language. 2 Select as appropriate. 3 Include bracketed language if there are multiple Assignees.
5. Credit Agreement: The Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025, by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified) 6. Assigned Interest: See Schedules attached hereto [7. Trade Date: _______________]4 [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank] 4 To be completed if the Assignor and the Assignees intend that the minimum assignment amount is to be determined as of the date on which the Assignor entered into a binding agreement with the Assignee(s) to sell and assign or participate all or a portion of its rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement.
Effective Date: , 2 [TO BE INSERTED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR] The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to: ASSIGNOR [NAME OF ASSIGNOR] By: Name: Title: ASSIGNEES See Schedules attached hereto
[Consented to and]5 Accepted: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender By Name: Title: [Consented to: [ ], as an Issuing Lender By Name: Title: ]6 [Consented to:]7 MONTANA-DAKOTA UTILITIES CO. By Name: Title: 5 To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent and/or the Swingline Lender and Issuing Lenders is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement. May also use a Master Consent. 6 To be added only if the consent of the Issuing Lenders is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement. May also use a Master Consent. 7 To be added only if the consent of the Borrower is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement. May also use a Master Consent.
SCHEDULE 1 To Assignment and Assumption By its execution of this Schedule, the Assignee identified on the signature block below agrees to the terms set forth in the attached Assignment and Assumption. Assigned Interests: Facility Assigned1 Aggregate Amount of Commitment/ Loans for all Lenders2 Amount of Commitment/ Loans Assigned3 Percentage Assigned of Commitment/ Loans4 $ $ % $ $ % $ $ % [NAME OF ASSIGNEE]5 [and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [identify Lender]6] By: Name: Title: 1 Fill in the appropriate terminology for the types of facilities under the Credit Agreement that are being assigned under this Agreement (e.g. “Commitment,” “L/C Commitment,” etc.) 2 Amount to be adjusted by the counterparties to take into account any payments or prepayments made between the Trade Date and the Effective Date. 3 Amount to be adjusted by the counterparties to take into account any payments or prepayments made between the Trade Date and the Effective Date. 4 Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder. 5 Add additional signature blocks, as needed. 6 Select as appropriate.
ANNEX 1 to Assignment and Assumption STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION 1. Representations and Warranties. 1.1 Assignor. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of [the] [the relevant] Assigned Interest, (ii) [the] [such] Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim, (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (iv) it is [not] a Defaulting Lender; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document. 1.2 Assignee[s]. [The] [Each] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets the requirements of an Eligible Assignee under the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 11.8(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of [the] [the relevant] Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire [the] [such] Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the] [such] Assigned Interest, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the] [such] Assigned Interest, (vii) it is not a Defaulting Lender and (viii) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the] [such] Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, [the] [any] Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender. 2. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of [the] [each] Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to [the] [the relevant] Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to [the] [the relevant] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.
3. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.
EXHIBIT G-1 to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (NON-PARTNERSHIP FOREIGN LENDERS)
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes) Reference is hereby made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the lenders who are or may become party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.11 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (a) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (b) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (c) it is not a ten percent (10%) shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (d) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code. The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN E, as applicable. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (a) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing and (b) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two (2) calendar years preceding such payments. [NAME OF LENDER] By: Name: Title: Date: , 20
EXHIBIT G-2 To Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (NON-PARTNERSHIP FOREIGN PARTICIPANTS)
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes) Reference is hereby made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the lenders who are or may become party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.11 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (a) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (b) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (c) it is not a ten percent (10%) shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (d) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code. The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN E, as applicable. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (a) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing and (b) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two (2) calendar years preceding such payments. [NAME OF PARTICIPANT] By: Name: Title: Date: , 20
EXHIBIT G-3 to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (FOREIGN PARTICIPANT PARTNERSHIPS)
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes) Reference is hereby made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the lenders who are or may become party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.11 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (a) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (b) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (c) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (d) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent (10%) shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (e) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code. The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (a) an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN E, as applicable, or (b) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN E, as applicable, from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (i) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing and (ii) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two (2) calendar years preceding such payments. [NAME OF PARTICIPANT] By: Name: Title: Date: , 20
EXHIBIT G-4 to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (FOREIGN LENDER PARTNERSHIPS)
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes) Reference is hereby made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2025 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the lenders who are or may become party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.11 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (a) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (b) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (c) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (d) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent (10%) shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (e) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code. The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (a) an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN E, as applicable, or (b) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN E, as applicable, from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (i) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing and (ii) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two (2) calendar years preceding such payments. [NAME OF LENDER] By: Name: Title: Date: , 20
Schedule 1.1 Credit Agreement SCHEDULE 1.1 COMMITMENTS AND COMMITMENT PERCENTAGES Lender Commitment & Commitment Percentage Wells Fargo Bank, National Association $29,500,000 14.75% U.S. Bank National Association $29,500,000 14.75% CoBank, ACB $29,500,000 14.75% JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. $29,500,000 14.75% PNC Bank, National Association $29,500,000 14.75% Bank of America, N.A. $17,500,000 8.75% Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Branch $17,500,000 8.75% The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch $17,500,000 8.75% Total: $200,000,000.00 100.00%
Schedule 1.1 Credit Agreement L/C COMMITMENTS Lender L/C Commitment Wells Fargo Bank, National Association $20,000,000 Total: $20,000,000.00
Schedule 2.6(a) Credit Agreement SCHEDULE 2.6(a) EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT None
Schedule 6.2 Credit Agreement SCHEDULE 6.2 AUTHORIZING ORDERS The Borrower received authorization to issue up to $250,000,000 of short-term promissory notes representing bank borrowings and/or in the form of commercial paper from the following regulatory commissions: a. By an order issued August 29, 2025, the Borrower received authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in Docket No. ES25-53-000. This FERC authorization is effective from September 11, 2025 through September 10, 2027. b. By an order dated August 18, 2025, the Borrower received authorization from the Montana Public Service Commission in Docket No. 2025.07.053. This Montana authorization is effective from August 18, 2025 to December 31, 2027. No further consent, approval, waiver, order or authorization of, or registration, qualification, declaration, or filings with, or notice to, any governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality is required.
Schedule 6.4 Credit Agreement SCHEDULE 6.4 SUBSIDIARIES None
Schedule 8.1 Credit Agreement SCHEDULE 8.1 EXISTING LIENS None